JP5850860B2 - CD127 binding protein - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to antigen binding proteins, particularly immunoglobulins, that specifically bind to the alpha chain (CD127) of the human IL-7 receptor. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a disease or disorder using the protein, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein, and a method for producing the same. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system. In MS, infiltrating inflammatory immune cells are thought to be involved in the destruction of oligodendrocytes, which are cells involved in the formation and maintenance of the fat layer known as the myelin sheath. is there. MS causes thinning or total loss of myelin. When myelin is lost, neurons can no longer carry electrical signals effectively and many neurological dysfunctions occur. In MS patients, autoreactive T cells are produced that are involved in the formation of inflammatory lesions along the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. The cerebrospinal fluid of active MS patients contains activated T cells that infiltrate brain tissue, cause characteristic inflammatory lesions, and destroy myelin. Although the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and the course of the disease can vary from person to person, there are three basic forms of the disease: relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS. .

  In the early stages of MS, inflammatory attacks occur and disease activity increases rapidly at short intervals. After the onset of these symptoms, a period of recovery and remission occurs. During remission, local swelling in the nervous system lesions resolves, immune cells become less active or inactivated, and myelin-producing cells remyelinate axons. Neural signaling improves, and disability caused by inflammation is less severe or disappears altogether. This phase of the disease is called relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). However, not all lesions are completely cured. Some remain as “chronic” lesions, which usually have demyelinating core regions that lack immune cells. Over time, the cells at the center of such lesions almost die, but inflammation often continues at the edges of the lesion. Because the brain can adapt well to the loss of some neurons, long-standing permanent disabilities cannot occur. However, over 50% of MS patients eventually enter a stage of progressive deterioration called secondary progressive MS (SPMS). At this stage, the disease no longer responds adequately to medications that alleviate the disease, ensuring that the patient's disability is exacerbated. Neuronal destruction from the early part of the natural course of MS may be the result of accumulated neuronal loss, which is a progressive disability of SPMS, suggesting that it ultimately surpasses brain compensatory capacity . Primary progressive MS is a type of multiple sclerosis that does not recur, but gradually loses physical and cognitive functions over a long period of time.

  The purpose of treatment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is to reduce the frequency and severity of the disease recurrence (thus preventing hatred), as well as preventing the onset of the progressive phase of the disease It is to delay. To achieve this goal, immunomodulators or immunosuppressants have been used so far, but these have not been widely accepted due to their limited effectiveness and high toxicity. For example, large-scale randomized controlled trials using interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, and glatiramer acetate have been successfully conducted.

  Both altered autoimmune T cell responses and dysfunction of the regulatory system of the immune system play important roles in human autoimmune diseases such as MS and rheumatoid arthritis (Kuchro et al. (2002) Annu. Rev. Immunol.20: 101-123; Sospedra and Martin (2005) Annu.Rev.Immunol.23: 683-747; Toh and Miossec (2007) Curr.Opin.Rheumatol.19: 284-288).

The etiology and pathogenesis of MS is still unknown, but is generally considered to be an autoimmune pathology, where autoreactive T, which can cause pathogenesis of T _H 1 and T _H 17 cells, etc. Cells are thought to play an important role. There is evidence that these effector T cells can be activated in vivo during the course of the disease and contribute to central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. There is also evidence that these T cells mediate the destruction of myelin-expressing cells in EAE and MS lesions during the active phase of the disease. On the other hand, regulatory T cells (T _reg ), which normally suppress pathogenic T _H 1 and T _H 17 cells, are deficient in MS patients, leading to a more proinflammatory state of the immune system.

Recently, three separate groups reported the results of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) scans in a total of 17,947 donors with or without MS. After scanning 334,923 SNPs, non-synonymous coding SNPs in the human IL-7 receptor α chain (IL-7Rα) are very deeply related to MS sensitivity (P = 2.9 × 10 ⁻ overall) ⁷ ) was found. The SNP corresponds to a change from T to C in exon 6 of CD127 (also known as IL-7Rα). This change increases the chance of skipping exon 6 during RNA splicing, resulting in a soluble form of CD127. Furthermore, RNA expression of CD127 and IL-7 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients is significantly higher than that of other neuropathic patients.

  IL-7 and IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) are known to play important roles in T cell and B cell development, and homeostasis primarily in the thymic environment. In fact, thymic stromal cells, fetal thymus and bone marrow are the sites of IL-7 production. The IL-7 receptor is composed of two subunits: CD127 and a common chain (γ chain or ac) shared by receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21. Consists of.

CD127 is also known as IL-7 receptor alpha (IL-7Rα) and p90 IL-7R. Human CD127 (Swiss Prot accession number P16871) has a total of 459 amino acids (20 signal sequences). Human CD127 contains an extracellular region of 219 amino acids, a transmembrane region of 25 amino acids, and an intracellular region of 195 amino acids. Residue numbering within CD127 is based on the full-length protein containing residues of the signal sequence as used in the present invention (eg, to describe the epitope of an antibody). CD127 may exist in four isoforms, and isoform H20 (Swissprot accession number P16871-1) has the following amino acid sequence (including signal sequence):
MTILGTTFGM VFSLLQVVSG ESGYAQNGDL EDAELDYDYSF SCYSQLEVNG SQHSLTCAFE
DPDVNTTNLE FEICALVEV KCLNFRKLQE IYFIETKKFL LIGKSNICVK VGEKSLTCKK
IDLTTIVKPE APFDLSVIYR EGANDFVVTF NTSHLQKKYV KVLMHDVAYR QEKDENKWTH
VNLSSTKLTL LQRKLQPAAM YEIKVRSIPD HYFKGFWSEW SPSYYFRTPE INNSSGEMDP
ILLTISILF FSVALLVILA CVLWKKRIKP IVWPSLPDHK KTLEHLKKKP RKNLNVSFNP
ESFLDCQIHR VDDIQARDEV EGFLQDTFPQ QLEESEKQRL GGDVQSPNPCP SEDVVVTPES
FGRDSSSLTCCL AGNVSACCAP ILSSSRSLDC RESGKNGPHV YQDLLLLGT TNSTLPPPFS
LQSGITLNP VAQGQPILTS LGSNQEEAYV TMSSFYQNQ (SEQ ID NO: 1)

  CD127 has also been found at the receptor for thymic stromal lymphogenic factor (TSLP). The TSLP receptor is a heterodimer of CD127 and cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2).

  Binding of IL-7 to IL-7R activates multiple signaling pathways, including activation of JAK kinases 1 and 3, leading to phosphorylation and activation of Stat5. Activation of Stat5 is important for the survival of thymic T cell precursors because it is required to induce the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and prevent the proapoptotic protein Bax from entering the mitochondria. Another pathway mediated by IL-7R is the activation of PI3 kinase, whereby the proapoptotic protein Bad is phosphorylated and retained in the cytoplasm. CD127 is expressed on peripheral resting and memory T cells. The mechanisms of IL-7 regulation of T cell survival and homeostasis and the origin of IL-7 in the periphery have not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, less research has been done on its potential role in the differentiation and function of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases, and most are unknown. Few reports suggest that IL-7 may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Recently, Liu et al. (Liu et al., (2010) Nature Medicine 16: 191-197) reported on the role of IL-7 in T _H 17 survival and proliferation. International Application No. PCT / US2009 / 053136 describes murine anti-CD127 antibodies (including anti-CD127 antibodies 1A11 and 6A3) and their role in the treatment of MS and other autoimmune diseases.

It would be desirable to isolate and develop additional monoclonal antibodies that bind to human CD127 and / or inhibit the biological effects of human CD127. Such antibodies may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of MS and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders, particularly those involving pathogenic T _H 17 cells.

The present invention provides an antigen binding protein that specifically binds to CD127. The antigen-binding protein can be used in therapeutic methods, particularly in the treatment or prevention of diseases involving pathogenic T _H 17 cells. The antigen binding protein can bind to CD127 and inhibit, eg, neutralize, the biological function of CD127.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3,
(Iii) CDRH3 of any one of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 132 to SEQ ID NO: 137,
(Iv) CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5,
(V) CDRL2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6,
(Vi) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7
An antigen-binding protein such as an antibody or a variant thereof comprising 1 to 6 of the above is provided.

In another aspect, the invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40,
(Iii) CDRH3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41,
(Iv) CDRL1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42,
(V) CDRL2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43,
(Vi) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44
An antigen-binding protein such as an antibody or a variant thereof comprising 1 to 6 of the above is provided.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is an antibody, optionally a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody. The antibody can comprise one or more CDRs (of SEQ ID NOs: 2-7 or 39-44 from the donor antibody) in the acceptor antibody framework. The acceptor antibody framework can be a humanized antibody.

In one aspect, the invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3,
(Iii) CDRH3 according to any of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 132 to SEQ ID NO: 137
A humanized antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising one or more of:
Of the lysine residue at position 66 of the heavy chain variable region (numbered according to Kabat), phenylalanine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine or valine residue at position 69, and valine, arginine, alanine or leucine residue at position 71 A humanized antibody further comprising at least one of the following.

  In one embodiment, the humanized antibody comprises leucine at position 69. In one embodiment, the humanized antibody comprises a valine at position 71. In one embodiment, the humanized antibody comprises leucine at position 69 and valine at position 71. In one embodiment, the humanized antibody comprises lysine at position 66, leucine at position 69, and valine at position 71. Except for the point mutations described above, the heavy chain variable region can have the framework sequence of a human germline variable region. For example, in one embodiment, the heavy chain variable region is derived from the IGHV1_2 human framework (SEQ ID NO: 116).

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides the following complementarity determining regions in the _VH framework:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3,
(Iii) CDRH3 according to any of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 132 to SEQ ID NO: 137
An antibody comprising one or more of:
The V _H framework derived from a human germline V _H framework, and the lysine residue at position 66 of the heavy chain variable region (numbered as in accordance with Kabat), phenylalanine at position 69, methionine, isoleucine, leucine Alternatively, an antibody is provided comprising a valine residue and at least one of a valine, arginine, alanine or leucine residue at position 71. In one embodiment, the human _VH framework is the IGHV1_2 human framework (SEQ ID NO: 116).

The antibodies of the present invention comprise CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4); CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4); CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3); or CDRH1 It may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising (SEQ ID NO: 2), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4). The antibody can comprise the heavy chain variable region of any of SEQ ID NOs: 10-17 (1A11.H0 V _{H to} 1A11.H7 V _H ). In one embodiment, the humanized antibody comprises the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 13 (1A11.H3 V _H ). In any of these embodiments, CDRH3 of SEQ ID NO: 4 may be replaced with CDRH3 of any of SEQ ID NOs: 132-137. Alternatively, the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 13 can comprise one or more substitutions selected from N98D, N98E, F100bE, F100bH, F100bI and F100bV (Kabat). In another embodiment, the heavy chain variable domain has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, or 131. In one embodiment, the heavy chain variable region is paired with the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 16.

The present invention also provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5,
(Ii) CDRL2 of SEQ ID NO: 6,
(Iii) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7
An antibody comprising a light chain variable region comprising one or more of:
A lysine residue at position 45 of the variable region light chain (numbered according to Kabat), a proline residue at position 46, a tryptophan residue at position 47, a valine residue at position 58, a valine residue at position 60, at position 70 An antibody is provided that further comprises at least one of a serine residue and a tyrosine or phenylalanine residue at position 71.

  In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a proline residue at position 46. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a tyrosine residue at position 71. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a proline residue at position 46 and a tyrosine residue at position 71.

  The antibodies are: CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7); CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7); CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5) and CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6); or CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 6) 5) may comprise a light chain variable region comprising CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7). The antibody may comprise the light chain variable region of any of SEQ ID NOs: 18-27 (1A11.L0 Vκ to 1A11.L9 Vκ). In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 22 (1A11.L4 Vκ).

In another aspect, the invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3,
(Iii) CDRH3 according to any of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 132 to SEQ ID NO: 137
Comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising 1, 2 or 3 of
Of the lysine residue at position 66 of the heavy chain variable region (numbered according to Kabat), phenylalanine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine or valine residue at position 69, and valine, arginine, alanine or leucine residue at position 71 Further comprising at least one of
And the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5,
(Ii) CDRL2 of SEQ ID NO: 6,
(Iii) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7
A light chain variable region comprising 1, 2 or 3 of
A lysine residue at position 45 of the variable region light chain (numbered according to Kabat), a proline residue at position 46, a tryptophan residue at position 47, a valine residue at position 58, a valine residue at position 60, at position 70 An antibody is provided that further comprises at least one of a serine residue and a tyrosine or phenylalanine residue at position 71.

  The antibody comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, CDRH3, CDRRL1, comprising from one heavy chain CDR and one light chain CDR to all six of said CDRs (ie, all three heavy chains and all three light chain CDRs). , May comprise any combination of CDRL2 and CDRL3. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises all six of CDRH1, CDRH2, CDRH3, CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3.

In one embodiment, the antibody has the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3,
(Iii) CDRH3 according to any one of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 133 to SEQ ID NO: 138
A heavy chain variable region comprising:
The following complementarity determining regions:
(Iv) CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5,
(V) CDRL2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6,
(Vi) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7
A light chain variable region comprising
It further comprises a leucine residue at position 69 of the heavy chain variable region and a proline residue at position 46 of the light chain variable region.

In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more with respect to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 (1A11.H3 V _H ) or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13. A heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence having 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity, or the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 121, 123, 125, 127, 129 or 131 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% of the heavy chain variable region and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 (1A11.L4 Vκ) or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 The light chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence having 98% or more and 99% or more identity.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114, or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114 or SEQ ID NO: 118. As described above, it comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence having 98% or more and 99% or more identity. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain comprises one or more substitutions selected from N98D, N98E, F100bE, F100bH, F100bI and F100bV (Kabat). In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% with respect to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 115, or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 115. As described above, it comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence having 99% or more identity. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114 or 118, or 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114 or 118 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% to the heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence having the identity of 98% or more, 99% or more, and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 115 or SEQ ID NO: 115 %, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more of an amino acid sequence comprising an amino acid sequence. A particular embodiment comprises an antigen binding protein having the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 118 and the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 115.

In another aspect, the invention provides:
(I) CDRH1 described in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Ii) CDRH2 of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Iii) CDRH3 according to SEQ ID NO: 4 or a variant CDR thereof, or CDRH3 according to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 132 to 137,
(Iv) the CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5 or a variant CDR thereof,
(V) the CDRL2 of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Vi) the CDRL3 of SEQ ID NO: 7 or a variant CDR thereof
An antigen binding protein comprising one or more of the following residues:
(A) Val, Ile, or Gly at position 2
(B) Leu or Val at position 4
(C) Leu, Ile, Met or Val at position 20
(D) Cys at position 22
(E) Thr, Ala, Val, Gly or Ser at position 24
(F) Gly at position 26
(G) Trp or Tyr at position 47
(H) Ile, Met, Val, or Leu at position 48
(I) Ile, Leu, Phe, Met, or Val at position 69
(J) Arg, Val, Ala, or Leu at position 71
(K) Ala, Leu, Val, Tyr, or Phe at position 78
(L) Leu or Met at position 80
(M) Try or Phe at position 90
(N) Cys at position 92
(O) Arg, Lys, Gly, Ser, His or Asn at position 94
A heavy chain framework having at least one of the following and / or the following residues:
(P) Ile at position 2
(Q) Leu at position 4
(R) Cys at position 23
(S) Trp at position 35
(T) Try at position 36
(U) Try or Phe at position 71
(V) Cys at position 88
(W) Phe at position 98
Further comprising a light chain framework having at least one of the above, and providing an antigen binding protein capable of binding to CD127.

  The antigen binding protein can comprise any combination of CDRH1, CDRH2, CDRH3, CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3 comprising from one CDR to six said CDRs (SEQ ID NOs: 2-7). In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises all six of the CDRs (SEQ ID NOs: 2-7).

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises both the heavy chain framework and light chain framework regions.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is an antibody, optionally a humanized antibody or a humanized antibody, or antigen binding fragments thereof.

One or more variant CDRs of this aspect of the invention may comprise:
(A) Variants of the following CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2):
i. The tyrosine residue at position 32 is replaced by isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamic acid or aspartic acid;
ii. The threonine residue at position 33 is replaced by tyrosine, alanine, tryptophan, glycine, leucine or valine;
iii. The methionine residue at position 34 is replaced by isoleucine, valine or tryptophan; and / or iv. The asparagine residue at position 35 is replaced with histidine, glutamic acid, glutamine, serine, tyrosine or threonine;
(B) The following CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) variants:
i. The leucine residue at position 50 is replaced with arginine, glutamic acid, tryptophan, tyrosine, glycine, glutamine, valine, asparagine, lysine or alanine;
ii. The isoleucine residue at position 51 is replaced by leucine, valine, threonine, serine or asparagine;
iii. The asparagine residue at position 52 is replaced with asparagine, leucine, serine or tyrosine;
iv. The tyrosine residue at position 53 is substituted with alanine, glycine, serine, lysine, threonine or asparagine;
v. The asparagine at position 54 is replaced by serine, threonine, lysine, asparagine or glycine;
vi. The valine at position 56 is replaced with tyrosine, arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, serine or alanine; and / or vii. The serine at position 58 is replaced by lysine, asparagine, threonine, arginine, glycine, phenylalanine or tyrosine;
(C) a variant of CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) in which the valine at position 102 is replaced with tyrosine, histidine, isoleucine, serine, aspartic acid or glycine;
(D) Variants of the following CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5):
i. The serine at position 29 is replaced by valine; and / or ii. A methionine at position 33 is substituted with leucine; and / or (e) a variant of CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7) comprising one or more of the following substitutions:
i. Glutamine at position 89 is replaced with leucine;
ii. Glutamic acid at position 90 is replaced with glutamine;
iii. The tryptophan at position 91 is replaced by tyrosine; and / or iv. The tyrosine at position 93 is replaced with serine or arginine.

The antigen-binding protein has the heavy chain variable region of any of SEQ ID NOs: 10 to 17 (1A11.H0 V _{H to} 1A11.H7 V _H ) or the weight of any of SEQ ID NOs: 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, or 131. It may comprise a chain variable region. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 13 (1A11.H3 V _H ). The antigen-binding protein can comprise the light chain variable region of any of SEQ ID NOs: 18-27 (1A11.L0 Vκ to 1A11.L9 Vκ). In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 22 (1A11.L4 Vκ).

In certain embodiments, the antigen binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 13 (1A11.H3 V _H ) and a light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 22 (1A11.L4 Vκ). In another embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 114 or SEQ ID NO: 118, particularly the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO: 118 and the light chain of SEQ ID NO: 115. The heavy chain may further comprise any of the following substitutions: N98D, N98E, F100bE, F100bH, F100bI and F100bV (Kabat).

  In another embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises one or more point mutations in CDRH3, said antigen binding protein having a higher binding affinity for IL-7R than an antigen binding protein lacking said mutation. Have sex. For example, in one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises CDRH3 set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 132-137. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 121, 123, 125, 127, 129 or 131.

In another aspect, the invention provides a heavy chain variable domain as described below:
(A) SEQ ID NO: 11
(B) SEQ ID NO: 12
(C) SEQ ID NO: 13
(D) SEQ ID NO: 14
(E) SEQ ID NO: 15
(F) SEQ ID NO: 16
(G) SEQ ID NO: 17
(H) SEQ ID NO: 121
(I) SEQ ID NO: 123
(J) SEQ ID NO: 125
(K) SEQ ID NO: 127
(L) SEQ ID NO: 129
(M) SEQ ID NO: 131,
Alternatively, an antigen-binding protein comprising a heavy chain variable domain having 70% or more identity to one of SEQ ID NOs: 11 to 17 and capable of binding to CD127 is provided. To do.

  In one embodiment, the heavy chain variable domain is 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99 for one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-17. % Identity.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is a heavy chain variable domain set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13, or 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more with respect to SEQ ID NO: 13, It comprises a heavy chain variable domain having 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity.

  In one embodiment, the antigen-binding protein is 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more with respect to SEQ ID NO: 115 or 118. Has a heavy chain with 99% or more identity.

In one embodiment, the heavy chain, or heavy chain variable domain is a variant of one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-17, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, and the degree of mutation is as follows: Consists of one or more of:
i. Val, Ile, or Gly at position 2
ii. Leu or Val at position 4
iii. Leu, Ile, Met, or Val at position 20
iv. Thr, Ala, Val, Gly or Ser at position 24
v. Trp or Tyr at position 47
vi. Ile, Met, Val, or Leu at position 48
vii. Ile, Leu, Phe, Met, or Val at position 69
viii. Arg, Val, Ala, or Leu at position 71
ix. Ala, Leu, Val, Tyr, or Phe at position 78
x. Leu or Met at position 80
xi. Try or Phe at position 90, and xii. Arg, Lys, Gly, Ser, His, or Asn at position 94.

In another aspect, the invention provides a light chain variable domain as described below:
(A) SEQ ID NO: 19
(B) SEQ ID NO: 20
(C) SEQ ID NO: 21
(D) SEQ ID NO: 22
(E) SEQ ID NO: 23
(F) SEQ ID NO: 24
(G) SEQ ID NO: 25
(H) SEQ ID NO: 26
(I) SEQ ID NO: 27
Or an antigen binding protein comprising a light chain variable domain having 70% or more identity to one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27, wherein the antigen binding protein is capable of binding to CD127 To do.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises a light chain variable domain set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22 or a light chain variable domain having 70% or greater identity to SEQ ID NO: 22.

  In one embodiment, the light chain variable domain is 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99 for one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27, 99 % Identity.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. It has a sex light chain.

The present invention contemplates any pairing of the described heavy and light chain variable domains. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention also provides an antigen binding protein comprising any one of the following heavy and light chain variable domain combinations: A chain variable domain (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20) of any one of SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27. , SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95 Or higher, 98% or higher, or a sequence having 99% or more identity);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 12 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 13 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 14 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 15 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 16 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or a sequence having 99% or more identity); heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 17 (or 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% thereto) Less than , 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more of the sequence) and SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, sequence 26, or any one light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 27 (or SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to SEQ ID NO: 27);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 121 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 123 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
Heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 125 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 127 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Sequence, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 129 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 % Or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or a sequence having 99% or more identity); or
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 131 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain (or SEQ ID NO: any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27) 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, or SEQ ID NO: 27, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90 %, 95%, 98%, or 99% identity).

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identical to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13. A heavy chain variable domain comprising an amino acid sequence having sex, and 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more with respect to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: A light chain variable domain comprising an amino acid sequence having 99% or more identity.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises a heavy chain variable domain set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13 and a light chain variable domain set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22.

In another aspect, the invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 described in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Ii) CDRH2 of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Iii) CDRH3 according to SEQ ID NO: 4 or a variant CDR thereof, or CDRH3 according to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 132 to 137,
(Iv) the CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5 or a variant CDR thereof,
(V) the CDRL2 of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Vi) the CDRL3 of SEQ ID NO: 7 or a variant CDR thereof,
Wherein at least one of said CDRs is a variant CDR and provides an antigen binding protein capable of binding to CD127.

In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises at least CDRL2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or a variant thereof. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein comprises at least CDRH3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 or a variant CDR thereof. A variant CDR of this aspect of the invention may comprise:
(F) The following CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) variants:
i. The tyrosine residue at position 32 is replaced by isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamic acid or aspartic acid;
ii. The threonine residue at position 33 is replaced by tyrosine, alanine, tryptophan, glycine, leucine or valine;
iii. The methionine residue at position 34 is replaced by isoleucine, valine or tryptophan; and / or iv. The asparagine residue at position 35 is replaced with histidine, glutamic acid, glutamine, serine, tyrosine or threonine;
(G) Variants of the following CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3):
i. The leucine residue at position 50 is replaced with arginine, glutamic acid, tryptophan, tyrosine, glycine, glutamine, valine, asparagine, lysine or alanine;
ii. The isoleucine residue at position 51 is replaced by leucine, valine, threonine, serine or asparagine;
iii. The asparagine residue at position 52 is replaced with asparagine, leucine, serine or tyrosine;
iv. The tyrosine residue at position 53 is substituted with alanine, glycine, serine, lysine, threonine or asparagine;
v. The asparagine at position 54 is replaced by serine, threonine, lysine, asparagine or glycine;
vi. The valine at position 56 is replaced with tyrosine, arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, serine or alanine; and / or vii. The serine at position 58 is replaced by lysine, asparagine, threonine, arginine, glycine, phenylalanine or tyrosine;
(H) a variant of CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) wherein the valine at position 102 is substituted with tyrosine, histidine, isoleucine, serine, aspartic acid or glycine;
(I) Variants of the following CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5):
i. The serine at position 29 is replaced by valine; and / or ii. A methionine at position 33 is substituted with leucine; and / or (j) a variant of CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7) comprising one or more of the following substitutions:
i. Glutamine at position 89 is replaced with leucine;
ii. Glutamic acid at position 90 is replaced with glutamine;
iii. The tryptophan at position 91 is replaced by tyrosine; and / or iv. The tyrosine at position 93 is replaced with serine or arginine.

In another aspect, the invention provides:
For the heavy chain variable domain framework:
(I) CDRH1 described in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Ii) CDRH2 of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Iii) CDRH3 described in SEQ ID NO: 4 or a variant CDR thereof, or CDRH3 described in any of SEQ ID NOS: 132 to 137
Comprising
(A) Val, Ile, or Gly at position 2
(B) Leu or Val at position 4
(C) Leu, Ile, Met or Val at position 20
(D) Cys at position 22
(E) Thr, Ala, Val, Gly or Ser at position 24
(F) Gly at position 26
(G) Trp or Tyr at position 47
(H) Ile, Met, Val, or Leu at position 48
(I) Ile, Leu, Phe, Met, or Val at position 69
(J) Arg, Val, Ala, or Leu at position 71
(K) Ala, Leu, Val, Tyr, or Phe at position 78
(L) Leu or Met at position 80
(M) Try or Phe at position 90
(N) Cys at position 92
(O) Arg, Lys, Gly, Ser, His or Asn at position 94;
A heavy chain variable domain comprising at least one of
For the light chain variable domain framework:
(Iv) the CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 5 or a variant CDR thereof,
(V) the CDRL2 of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a variant CDR thereof,
(Vi) the CDRL3 of SEQ ID NO: 7 or a variant CDR thereof
Comprising
(A) Ile at position 2
(B) Leu at position 4
(C) Cys at position 23
(D) Trp at position 35
(E) Try at position 36
(F) Try or Phe at position 71
(G) Cys at position 88
(H) Phe at position 98
An antigen binding protein comprising a light chain variable domain comprising at least one of the two, and capable of binding to CD127.

A variant CDR of this aspect of the invention may comprise:
(A) Variants of the following CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2):
i. The tyrosine residue at position 32 is replaced by isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamic acid or aspartic acid;
ii. The threonine residue at position 33 is replaced by tyrosine, alanine, tryptophan, glycine, leucine or valine;
iii. The methionine residue at position 34 is replaced by isoleucine, valine or tryptophan; and / or iv. The asparagine residue at position 35 is replaced with histidine, glutamic acid, glutamine, serine, tyrosine or threonine;
(B) The following CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) variants:
i. The leucine residue at position 50 is replaced with arginine, glutamic acid, tryptophan, tyrosine, glycine, glutamine, valine, asparagine, lysine or alanine;
ii. The isoleucine residue at position 51 is replaced by leucine, valine, threonine, serine or asparagine;
iii. The asparagine residue at position 52 is replaced with asparagine, leucine, serine or tyrosine;
iv. The tyrosine residue at position 53 is substituted with alanine, glycine, serine, lysine, threonine or asparagine;
v. The asparagine at position 54 is replaced by serine, threonine, lysine, asparagine or glycine;
vi. The valine at position 56 is replaced with tyrosine, arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, serine or alanine; and / or vii. The serine at position 58 is replaced by lysine, asparagine, threonine, arginine, glycine, phenylalanine or tyrosine;
(C) a variant of CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) in which the valine at position 102 is replaced with tyrosine, histidine, isoleucine, serine, aspartic acid or glycine;
(D) Variants of the following CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5):
i. The serine at position 29 is replaced by valine; and / or ii. A methionine at position 33 is substituted with leucine; and / or (e) a variant of CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7) comprising one or more of the following substitutions:
i. Glutamine at position 89 is replaced with leucine;
ii. Glutamic acid at position 90 is replaced with glutamine;
iii. The tryptophan at position 91 is replaced by tyrosine; and / or iv. The tyrosine at position 93 is replaced with serine or arginine.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is an antibody, optionally a humanized antibody or a human antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof.

In another aspect, the invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40,
(Iii) CDRH3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41
An antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising 1, 2 or 3 of
Valine at position 24 of heavy chain variable region (numbered according to Kabat), tyrosine at position 27, serine at position 28, isoleucine at position 29, threonine at position 30, methionine at position 48, glycine at position 49, position 67 Wherein the antibody further comprises at least one of: isoleucine at position 68; serine at position 68; arginine at position 71; threonine at position 73; and phenylalanine at position 78.

  In one embodiment, the antibody is at least one of tyrosine at position 27, threonine at position 30, methionine at position 48, isoleucine at position 67, and arginine at position 71, or Contains all five.

The antibodies may comprise CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 39) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41); CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41); CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 39) and CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40); or CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 40) 39), may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41). The antibody may be any heavy chain variable of SEQ ID NO: 48-56 (6A3IGHV4 — 61.H1 _{VH to} 6A3IGHV4 — 61.H9) or SEQ ID NO: 58 to 68 (6A3IGHV3-33.H1 _{VH to} 6A3 IGHV3-33.H11). It can comprise a region.

The present invention also provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(Iv) CDRL1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42,
(V) CDRL2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43,
(Vi) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44
An antibody comprising a light chain variable region comprising one, two or three of:
(Numbered according to Kabat)
(A) one or both of a glutamine residue at position 45 of the variable region light chain and a lysine residue at position 70, or (b) leucine at position 4, tyrosine at position 31, methionine at position 70, threonine at position 85 Wherein the antibody further comprises one or more of tyrosine at position 94, glycine at position 100, and valine at position 104.

  In one embodiment, the antibody comprises both a glutamine residue at position 45 and a lysine residue at position 71. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises each of leucine at position 4, tyrosine at position 31, methionine at position 70, threonine at position 85, tyrosine at position 94, glycine at position 100, and valine at position 104. .

  The antibodies are CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 42) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44); CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44); CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 42) and CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43); or CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 43) 42), may comprise a light chain variable region comprising CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44). The antibody may comprise the light chain variable region of any of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72 and 138 (6A3.L1 Vκ, 6A3.L2 Vκ, 6A3.L3 Vκ and 6A3.L27 Vκ).

In another aspect, the invention provides the following complementarity determining regions:
(Iv) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39,
(V) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40,
(Vi) CDRH3 described in SEQ ID NO: 41
A heavy chain variable region comprising 1, 2 or 3 of
Valine at position 24 of the heavy chain variable region, tyrosine at position 27, serine at position 28, isoleucine at position 29, threonine at position 48, methionine at position 48, glycine at position 49, isoleucine at position 67, serine at position 68, Further comprising at least one of arginine at position 71, threonine at position 73, and phenylalanine at position 78;
The following complementarity determining regions:
(I) the CDRL1 of SEQ ID NO: 42,
(Ii) CDRL2 of SEQ ID NO: 43,
(Iii) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44
A light chain variable region comprising one, two or three of
(Numbered according to Kabat)
(A) one or both of a glutamine residue at position 45 and a lysine residue at position 70 of the variable region light chain; or (b) leucine at position 4, tyrosine at position 31, methionine at position 70, threonine at position 85, An antibody is provided, further comprising one or more of tyrosine at position 94, glycine at position 100, and valine at position 104.

  The antibody can comprise any combination of CDRH1, CDRH2, CDRH3, CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3 comprising one heavy chain CDR and one light chain CDR up to all six of said CDRs.

In one embodiment, the antibody has the following complementarity determining regions:
(I) CDRH1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39,
(Ii) CDRH2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40,
(Iii) CDRH3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41,
(Iv) CDRL1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42,
(V) CDRL2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43,
(Vi) CDRL3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44
Comprising a heavy chain variable region,
The antibody further comprises at least one of the following:
(A) heavy chain variable region valine at position 24, tyrosine at position 27, serine at position 28, isoleucine at position 29, threonine at position 48, methionine at position 48, glycine at position 49, isoleucine at position 67, position 68 Serine at position 71, arginine at position 71, threonine at position 73, and phenylalanine at position 78, and / or (b) (numbered according to Kabat)
a. At least one of a glutamine residue at position 45 and a lysine residue at position 70 of the variable region light chain, or b. One or more of leucine at position 4, tyrosine at position 31, methionine at position 70, threonine at position 85, tyrosine at position 94, glycine at position 100, and valine at position 104.

The present invention contemplates any pairing of the described heavy and light chain variable domains. Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention also provides an antigen binding protein comprising any one of the following heavy and light chain variable domain combinations: A chain variable domain (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or any one light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any);
Heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 48 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 49 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence No. 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 73, or any one light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 138 (also SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 73, or sequence A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 50 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 51 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 52 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 53 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 54 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 55 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 56 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 57 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 58 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 59 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 60 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 61 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 62 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
Heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 64 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
Heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 64 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 65 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
A heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 66 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto), and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 67 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138);
The heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 68 (or a sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more identity thereto) and a sequence The light chain variable domain of any one of No. 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 138 (or SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: A sequence having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to any of the number 138).

  In certain embodiments, an antigen comprising a heavy chain variable region having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53, 54, 55, or 56 and a light chain variable region having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 138. Provide a binding protein.

  The binding protein can be an antibody, in particular a humanized or human antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.

  In another aspect, the invention comprises the variable heavy chain domain of SEQ ID NO: 28 and the variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO: 29, or the variable heavy chain domain of SEQ ID NO: 73 and the variable light chain domain of SEQ ID NO: 74, Chimeric antibodies are provided.

  The antigen-binding protein of the present invention cannot inhibit TSLP signaling. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein does not inhibit TSLP signaling.

  The present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding the antigen binding protein of the present invention. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules of SEQ ID NOs: 30-38, SEQ ID NOs: 75-113, SEQ ID NOs: 119-120, and SEQ ID NOs: 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130. The invention also provides an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule as defined herein and a recombinant host cell comprising an expression vector as defined herein. The expression vector comprises SEQ ID NOs: 30-38, SEQ ID NOs: 75-113, and SEQ ID NOs: 119-120, and any one or more nucleic acid molecules of SEQ ID NOs: 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130. obtain. In one embodiment, the expression vector comprises a nucleic acid molecule that encodes the antigen binding protein. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a host cell comprising the above expression vector. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides an antibody expressed by the host cell.

  The present invention also provides a method for producing the antigen-binding protein of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing the host cell as defined above and the step of recovering the antigen-binding protein. .

  The present invention also provides an antibody or antigen binding protein according to the present invention expressed by a host cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence or sequence encoding the antibody or antigen binding protein according to the present invention.

  The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antigen-binding protein of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

  The present invention also provides a method for treating a subject suffering from an autoimmune disease or inflammatory disease, the method comprising the step of administering the antigen-binding protein of the present invention to a subject. .

The present invention also provides a method for treating a subject suffering from a disease involving pathogenic _TH 17 cells, comprising the step of administering the antigen-binding protein of the present invention to the subject. I will provide a.

  The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a disease associated with upregulated IL-17 expression, comprising the step of administering the antigen-binding protein of the present invention to the subject. To provide a method.

Specifically, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, diseases involving pathogenic _TH 17 cells, or diseases associated with up-regulated IL-17 expression include multiple sclerosis (MS), It can be SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, Behcet's disease, or asthma. In one embodiment, the antigen binding proteins of the present invention are useful in a method of treating multiple sclerosis. Other diseases that can be treated by administration of the antigen binding proteins of the invention are described herein.

The invention also treats a subject suffering from an autoimmune or inflammatory disease; a disease involving pathogenic T _H 17 cells; or a disease associated with the expression of upregulated IL-17. An antigen binding protein as described herein is provided for use in.

The invention also treats a subject suffering from an autoimmune or inflammatory disease; a disease involving pathogenic T _H 17 cells; or a disease associated with the expression of upregulated IL-17. There is provided the use of an antigen binding protein as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for use in.

  Other aspects and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 shows complement dependent cytotoxicity of anti-IL7R mAb 1A11 H3L4 against HEK293 cells expressing hIL-7R. FIG. 2 shows antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of humanized anti-IL7R mAb 1A11 H3L4 and Fc-incapable anti-IL7R mAb (1A11 H3L4Fc) against HEK293 cells expressing hIL-7R in the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Show. FIGS. 3A and 3B show inhibition of IL-7-induced STAT5 phosphorylation by 1A11 H3L4 in human PBMC provided by two separate donors. Figures 4A-4D show inhibition of IL-7 induced IL-17 production in differentiated human Th17 cells by 1A11 H3L4 (in 4 different donors). Figures 5A-5E show that 1A11 H3L4 does not affect TSLP induction of TARC (thymus and activation-controlled chemokines).

Although IL-7 / IL-7R signaling is essential for the survival and proliferation of T _H 17 cells involved in both mouse and human systems, its role in T _H 17 differentiation is relative to IL-6. Not essential (Liu et al. (2010) Nature Medicine 16: 191-197). Surprisingly, the in vivo effect on the immune system by antagonism of IL-7R is highly selective in EAE, an animal model of multiple sclerosis, affecting T _H 17 cells and more To a lesser extent, it primarily affects memory phenotype T _H 1 cells and not T _reg cells. This selectivity is thought to play an important role in the rebalancing of the ratio of pathogenic T _H 17 cells to T _reg cells by IL-7R antagonism in EAE, and contributes to curative effect .

The role of IL-7 / IL-7R signaling in T _H 17 cell survival and proliferation is to assist in the therapeutic efficacy of IL-7R antagonism in human autoimmune diseases such as MS. IL-7 neutralization or IL-7R antagonism may have unique therapeutic advantages. On the one hand, this treatment confers the selectivity of distinguishing pathogenic T _H 1 and T _H 17 cells from T _reg and unrelated immune cells. On the other hand, further therapeutic advantages of IL-7R antagonism comprise its selective effect on the survival and proliferation of differentiated T _H 17 as opposed to T _H 17 differentiation. To the maintenance in vivo of T _H 17 to relationship T H ₁₇ differentiation targets is considered to be more efficient in the treatment of situations. Thus, inhibition of IL-7 receptor-mediated signaling provides a promising therapeutic intervention for treating autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.

As used herein, the term IL-7R-mediated signaling refers to a biological effect caused by the IL-7 receptor complex when its ligand, IL-7, binds. Thus, IL-7R mediated signaling, but are not necessarily limited, IL-7-induced phosphorylation of _{STAT-5, T} H 17 cells IL-7-induced proliferation, and _T H 17 cells It comprises one or more or all of IL-7 induced survival.

In the international application PCT / US2009 / 053136 (international application 2010/017468 pamphlet), mouse antibodies 1A11 and 6A3 are described. These antibodies specifically bind to CD127 (SEQ ID NO: 1), which is the α chain of the human IL-7 receptor. The variable domains of these antibodies are described in SEQ ID NOs: 8 and 9 (V _H , Vκ1A11, respectively) and SEQ ID NOs: 45 and 46 (V _H , Vκ6A3, respectively).

  The present invention provides antigen-binding proteins and variants thereof comprising one or more of 1A11 or 6A3 complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Antigen binding proteins can bind to IL-7R and neutralize IL-7R signaling. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a humanized antibody comprising one to six of the CDRs from mouse antibody 1A11 or 6A3 (donor antibody) in a human acceptor antibody.

  The term “antigen binding protein” as used in the present invention refers to protein structures such as antibodies, antibody fragments, and domains capable of binding to CD127. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein is an antibody.

  The term “antibody” as used in the present invention, in the broadest sense, refers to a molecule having an immunoglobulin-like domain, for example, a monoclonal antibody, a recombinant antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, bispecificity Antibodies, and heteroconjugate antibodies; including single variable domains, domain antibodies, antigen binding fragments, immunologically effective fragments, single chain Fv, diabody, Tandabs ™, etc. (another “antibody” format (See Holliger and Hudson, Nature Biotechnology, 2005, 23, 9, 1126-1136).

The phrase “single variable domain” refers to the variable domain (eg, V _H , V _HH , V _L ) of an antigen binding protein that specifically binds to an antigen or epitope independently of different variable regions or domains.

A “domain antibody” or “dAb” may be considered the same as a “single variable domain” that can bind to an antigen. The single variable domain may be a human antibody variable domain, but other rodents (eg, disclosed in WO 00/29004), shark sharks and camelids V _HH dAbs, etc. It also comprises a single antibody variable domain derived from a species. Camelid V _HHs are immunoglobulin single variable domain polypeptides derived from species including camels, llamas, alpaca, dromedaries and guanacos, producing heavy chain antibodies that are naturally devoid of light chains. Such V _HH domains can be humanized according to standard techniques available in the art, and such domains are considered “domain antibodies”. V _H used in the present invention includes camelid V _HH domains.

  The term “domain” as used in the present invention is a folded protein structure having a tertiary structure independent of the rest of the protein. In general, a domain is involved in the individual functional properties of a protein and can often be added, removed or transferred to other proteins without losing the remaining function of the protein and / or domain. . A “single variable domain” is a folded polypeptide domain comprising sequences characteristic of antibody variable domains. Thus, it comprises a complete antibody variable domain and, for example, a sequence that is not characteristic of an antibody variable domain, an antibody variable domain that is truncated or comprises an N-terminal or C-terminal extension, and a full-length domain. It comprises a modified variable domain in which one or more loops are replaced by a folded fragment of the variable domain that retains at least binding activity and specificity. Domains can bind antigens or epitopes independently of different variable regions or domains.

  Antigen-binding fragments can be provided by placing one or more CDRs in a non-antibody protein scaffold such as a domain. Non-antibody protein scaffolds or domains are those that have been subjected to protein engineering to bind to ligands other than natural ligands such as, for example, domains that are derivatives of scaffolds selected from: CTLA-4 (Evibody) A lipokine; a molecule derived from protein A such as the Z domain of protein A (Affibody, SpA), A domain (Avimer / Maxibody); heat shock proteins such as GroEl and GroES; transferrin (transbody); ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin); peptide aptamer; C-type lectin domain (tetranectin); human γ-crystallin and human ubiquitin (Affilin); PDZ domain; scorpion toxin Kunitz-type domain of human protease inhibitor Adnectins); it is subjected to protein engineering in order to bind to the ligand other than the natural ligand.

  CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4) is a CD28 family receptor expressed primarily on CD4 + T cells. Its extracellular domain has a variable domain-like Ig fold. The loop corresponding to the CDR of the antibody may be replaced with a heterologous sequence to confer different binding properties. CTLA-4 molecules modified to have different binding specificities are also known as shrimp bodies. For further details, see Journal of Immunological Methods 248 (1-2), 31-45 (2001).

  Lipokines are a family of extracellular proteins that transport small hydrophobic molecules such as steroids, villins, retinoids and lipids. It has a strong β-sheet secondary structure with many loops at the open end of the canonical structure that can be modified to bind to different expression antigens. Anticarine is 160 to 180 amino acids long and is derived from lipocalin. For further details, see Biochim Biophys Acta 1482: 337-350 (2000), US Pat. No. 7,250,297 B1, and US Patent Application Publication No. 20070224633.

  Affibodies are scaffolds derived from Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus that can be modified to bind antigen. The domain consists of three helix bundles of about 58 amino acids. Libraries have been created by randomizing surface residues. For further details, see Protein Eng. Des. Sel. 17, 455-462 (2004) and European Patent Application Publication No. 1641818A1.

  Avimers are multidomain proteins derived from the A domain scaffold family. The native domain of about 35 amino acids has a defined disulfide binding structure. Diversity arises by shuffling the natural variation exhibited by the family of A domains. For further details, see Nature Biotechnology 23 (12), 1556-1561 (2005) and Expert Opinion on Investigative Drugs 16 (6), 909-917 (July 2007).

  Transferrin is a monomeric serum transport glycoprotein. Transferrin can be modified to bind to different target antigens by inserting one or more peptide sequences such as CDRs into the permissive surface loop. An example of a modified transferrin scaffold is a transbody. For further details, see J.M. Biol. See Chem 274, 24066-24073 (1999).

  The designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) is derived from ankyrin, a family of proteins that mediate the binding of essential membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. A single ankyrin repeat is a 33 residue motif consisting of two α-helices and a β-turn. These are modified to bind to different target antigens by randomizing residues in the first α-helix and β-turn of each repeat or by inserting a peptide sequence such as one or more CDRs be able to. These binding interfaces can be increased by increasing the number of modules (method of affinity maturation). For further details, see J.M. Mol. Biol. 332, 489-503 (2003), PNAS 100 (4), 1700-1705 (2003); Mol. Biol. 369,1015-1028 (2007), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040132028A1.

  Fibronectin is a scaffold that can be modified to bind to an antigen. Adnectin consists of the backbone of the natural amino acid sequence of the 10th domain out of 15 repeat units of human fibronectin type III (FN3). The three loops at one end of the β-sandwich can be modified so that Adnectin can specifically recognize the therapeutic target of interest. For further details, see Protein Eng. Des. Sel. 18,435-444 (2005), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008019791, International Publication No. 2005056764, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,818,418B1.

  Peptide aptamers are combinatorial recognition molecules consisting of a constant scaffold protein, typically thioredoxin (TrxA) containing a constrained variable peptide loop inserted into the active site. For more details, see Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 5,783-797 (2005).

  Microbodies are derived from naturally occurring microproteins of 25-50 amino acids in length containing 3-4 cysteine bridges; examples of microproteins include Kalata B1 and conotoxins and nottin. Microproteins have loops that can be modified to comprise up to 25 amino acids without affecting the overall folding of the microprotein. For further details of the modified knotting domain, reference is made to WO2008098796.

  Other binding domains include proteins that are used as scaffolds to modify different target antigen binding properties, such as human γ-crystallin and human ubiquitin (Affilin), human protease inhibitor Kunitz-type domains, The PDZ domain of Ras binding protein AF-6, the scorpion toxin (Caribodotoxin), the C-type lectin domain (Tetranectin), which are Handbook of Therapeutic Antibodies Chapter 7 Non-Antibody Scaffolds (2007, Stef (Dubel Edition) and Protein Science 15: 14-27 (2006). The binding domains of the present invention can be derived from any combination of any of these alternative protein domains and the CDRs of the present invention grafted to said domains.

  The antigen-binding fragment or immunologically effective fragment may comprise a heavy or light chain variable sequence in part. The length of the fragment is at least 5, 6, 8, or 10 amino acids. Alternatively, the length of the fragment is at least 15, at least 20, at least 50, at least 75, or at least 100 amino acids.

  The term “specifically binds” as used throughout this specification in connection with an antigen binding protein refers to an antigen binding protein that binds to CD127 with little or no binding to other (eg, unrelated) proteins. Means to combine. That is, the antigen binding proteins and antibodies described herein can specifically bind to CD127. However, this term does not exclude the fact that antigen-binding proteins can cross-react with CD127 from other species such as mouse CD127, cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis), or marmoset CD127. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein binds to both cynomolgus monkey and marmoset CD127. The antigen binding proteins described herein can bind human CD127 with an affinity that is at least 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, or 1000 times higher than binding to CD127 from other species.

The binding affinity or equilibrium dissociation constant (K _D ) of the antigen binding protein-CD127 interaction can be 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 2 nM or less, or 1 nM or less. Alternatively, _{K D} is, 5-10 nM; may be, or 1-2 nM. _The K _D, 1pM~500pM; may be or 500PM～1nM. The binding affinity of an antigen binding protein is determined by the association rate constant (k _a ) and the dissociation rate constant (k _d ) (K _D = k _d / k _a ). The binding affinity can be measured by BIAcore ™, for example, by antigen capture by CD127 coupled to a CM5 chip by primary amine coupling and antigen capture on this surface. The BIAcore ™ method described in Example 4 can be used to measure binding affinity. Alternatively, binding affinity can be measured by FORTEbio, for example by antigen capture by CD127 coupled to a CM5 needle by primary amine coupling and antigen capture on this surface.

k _d may be 1 × 10 ⁻³ s ⁻¹ or less, 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less, or 1 × 10 ⁻⁵ s ⁻¹ or less. k _d may be 1 × 10 ⁻⁵ s ⁻¹ to 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ ; or 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ to 1 × 10 ⁻³ s ⁻¹ . A slow k _d can delay the dissociation of the antigen binding protein-ligand complex and improve ligand neutralization.

  The term “derived” is intended not only to define that the source in that sense is the physical origin of the substance, but also to define a substance that is structurally identical to the substance but that originates from the reference source. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, “residues found in the donor antibody” need not necessarily be purified from the donor antibody.

  By isolating is meant that a molecule such as an antigen binding protein is removed from an environment in which the molecule can be found in nature. For example, the molecules can be purified from substances that normally exist together in nature. For example, the antigen binding protein can be purified to at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% relative to the culture medium containing the antigen binding protein. The antigen-binding protein and antibody of the present invention may be an isolated antigen-binding protein and antibody.

  “Chimeric antibody” refers to a type of engineered antibody that contains naturally occurring variable regions (light and heavy chains) from a donor antibody that are associated with an acceptor antibody derived light chain and a heavy chain constant region.

  “Humanized antibody” refers to a type of engineered antibody that has one or more of the CDRs from a non-human donor immunoglobulin and from which the remaining immunoglobulin-derived portion of the molecule is derived from one or more human immunoglobulins. Furthermore, framework support residues can be altered to preserve binding affinity (eg, Queen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci USA, 86: 10029-10032 (1989), Hodgson et al., Bio / Technology, 9: 421 (1991)). Suitable human acceptor antibodies are those selected from conventional databases, such as the KABAT® database, the Los Alamos database, and the Swiss Protein database, by homology to the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the donor antibody. Also good. Humanized antibodies characterized by homology to donor antibody framework regions (based on amino acids) are suitable for providing heavy chain constant regions and / or heavy chain variable framework regions for insertion of donor CDRs. It can be. Suitable acceptor antibodies that can provide a constant or variable framework region of the light chain can be selected in a similar manner. It should be noted that the acceptor antibody heavy and light chains need not originate from the same acceptor antibody. The prior art describes several methods for producing such humanized antibodies. See, for example, European Patent Application Publication No. 0239400 and European Patent Application Publication No. 054951.

  The term “donor antibody” refers to an antibody that provides the first immunoglobulin partner with the amino acid sequence of its variable region, one or more CDRs, or other functional fragments, or analogs thereof. Thus, the donor provides an immunoglobulin coding region with the antigen specificity and neutralizing activity characteristic of the donor antibody and the expressed modified antibody resulting therefrom.

  The term “acceptor antibody” is an antibody that is heterologous to a donor antibody and that has an amino acid sequence encoding the framework region of its heavy and / or light chain and / or the constant region of its heavy and / or light chain. Refers to an antibody that confers all (or any portion) to a first immunoglobulin partner. The human antibody can be an acceptor antibody.

The terms “V _H ” and “V _L ” are used herein to refer to the heavy and light chain variable regions of an antigen binding protein, respectively. Vκ is also used to refer to the variable light chain domain.

  “CDR” is defined as the amino acid sequence of the complementarity determining region of an antigen binding protein. These are the hypermutated regions of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. There are three heavy chain CDRs and three light chain CDRs (ie, CDR regions) in the variable portion of an immunoglobulin. Thus, as used herein, “CDR” is used herein to refer to all three heavy chain CDRs, all three light chain CDRs, all heavy chain and light chain CDRs, or at least two CDRs. .

  Throughout this specification, amino acid residues in variable domain sequences and full-length antibody sequences are numbered according to Kabat numbering conventions, unless otherwise specified. Similarly, the terms “CDR”, “CDRL1”, “CDRL2”, “CDRL3”, “CDRH1”, “CDRH2”, “CDRH3” used in the examples follow the Kabat numbering convention. For further information, see Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 4th edition, U.S. Pat. S. See Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (1987).

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there are separate numbering conventions for amino acid residues in variable domain sequences and full-length antibody sequences. See also, for example, Chothia et al. (1989) Nature 342: 877-883, there is another numbering convention for CDR sequences. Antibody structure and protein folding may mean that other residues are considered part of the CDR sequence, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, the term “corresponding CDR” as used in the present invention refers to a CDR sequence that uses any numbering convention, eg, as described in Table 1.

  Other numbering rules for CDR sequences available to those skilled in the art include the “AbM” method (University of Bath) and the “contact” (University College London) method. It can be defined that the minimal overlap region using at least two of the Kabat, Chothia, AbM and contact methods provides the “minimum binding unit”. The minimal binding unit may be a sub-portion of the CDR.

Table 1 below represents one definition using each numbering rule for each CDR or binding unit. Table 1 uses the Kabat numbering scheme to number the amino acid sequences of the variable domains. It should be noted that some of the CDR definitions may vary depending on the particular publication used.

As used herein, the term “antigen binding site” refers to a site on an antigen binding protein capable of specifically binding to an antigen. This can be a single domain (eg, an epitope binding domain), a single chain Fv (ScFv) domain, or a counter V _H / V _L domain as can be found with standard antibodies. Also good.

  As used herein, the term “epitope” refers to the portion of an antigen that makes contact with a particular binding domain of an antigen binding protein. An epitope may be linear, comprising an essentially linear amino acid sequence derived from an antigen. Alternatively, the epitope may be conformational or discontinuous. For example, conformational epitopes include amino acid residues that require structural control elements. A discontinuous epitope includes amino acid residues that are separated by other sequences, ie, not a sequence in the primary sequence of an antigen. In the tertiary and quaternary structure of the antigen, the residues of the discontinuous epitope are close enough to each other for the antigen binding protein to bind.

  For nucleotide and amino acid sequences, the term “identical” or “sequence identity” refers to two nucleic acids or two amino acids when compared to those optimally aligned and appropriately inserted or deleted as appropriate. Indicates the degree of identity between sequences.

  The percent identity between the two sequences is the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps that need to be introduced and the length of each gap to optimally align the two sequences. (Ie,% identity = number of identical positions / total number of positions × 100). As described below, a mathematical algorithm can be used to compare the sequences and determine the percent identity between the two sequences.

  The percent identity between two nucleotide sequences is determined using the gap program in the GCG software package, NWSgapdna. It can be determined using the CMP matrix and gap weights 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80, and gap length weights 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The percent identity between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences is the E. coli incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0). Meyers and W.M. It can also be determined using the algorithm of Miller (Comput. Appl. Biosci., 4: 11-17 (1988)) using a PAM120 weighted residue table, a gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4. Further, using the algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (J. Mol. Biol. 48: 444-453 (1970)) incorporated into the gap program in the GCG software package, either the Blossum 62 matrix or the PAM250 matrix, and the gap Using weights 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, or 4 and gap length weights 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, the percent identity between two amino acid sequences can be determined.

In one method, the polynucleotide sequence is identical to the reference polynucleotide sequence described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NOs: 30-39, SEQ ID NOs: 76-105), ie, 100% identical. May contain a specific integer number of nucleotide changes relative to the reference sequence, eg, at least 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98 or 99% identical. May be. Such changes are selected from at least one nucleotide deletion, translocation and substitution, including substitution, or insertion, said changes being either at the 5 ′ or 3 ′ terminal position of the reference nucleotide sequence, or between these terminal positions. May occur in individual positions within nucleotides in the reference sequence, or may occur in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of nucleotide changes is a numerical value of each percent identity to the total number of nucleotides in the reference polynucleotide sequences described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NOs: 30-39, SEQ ID NOs: 76-105). Multiply by percent (number divided by 100) and subtract that product from the total number of nucleotides in the reference polynucleotide sequence described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NOs: 30-39, SEQ ID NOs: 76-105) Is required by:
n _n ≦ x _n − (x _n · y)
Where n _n is the number of nucleotide changes and x _n is the nucleotide in the reference polynucleotide sequence described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NOs: 30-39, SEQ ID NOs: 76-105) Y is 0.50 for 50%, 0.60 for 60%, 0.70 for 70%, 0.75 for 75%, 0.80 for 80%, 85% 0.85, 90% 0.90, 95% 0.95, 98% 0.98, 99% 0.99, or 100% 1.00, Is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and the non-integer product of x _n and y is rounded down to the nearest integer before subtracting it from x _n ).

Similarly, the polypeptide sequence is identical to the reference polypeptide sequence described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NO: 1-29, SEQ ID NO: 40-75), ie, 100% identical. Or less than a certain integer so that the percent identity is less than 100%, eg, at least 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98 or 99% identical to the reference sequence. Amino acid changes may be included. Such a change is selected from the group consisting of a deletion of at least one amino acid, a substitution including conservative and non-conservative substitutions, or an insertion, wherein the change is the amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal position of the reference polypeptide sequence, Or it may occur at any position between these terminal positions, may be interspersed individually within amino acids in the reference sequence, or may occur in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of amino acid changes for a given% identity is determined by the polypeptide sequence encoded by the polypeptide reference sequences described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NOs: 1-29, SEQ ID NOs: 40-75). Multiplied by the numerical percent of each percent identity (number divided by 100) and then the polypeptide reference sequences described herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1-29, SEQ ID NO: 40 (See ~ 75)) by subtracting the product from the total number of amino acids in
n _a ≦ x _a − (x _a · y)
Where n _a is the number of amino acid changes and x _a is in the reference polypeptide sequence described herein (see, eg, SEQ ID NO: 1-29, SEQ ID NO: 40-75). The total number of amino acids, y is 0.50 for 50%, 0.60 for 60%, 0.70 for 70%, 0.75 for 75%, 0.80 for 80%, 85 % Is 0.85, 90% is 0.90, 95% is 0.95, 98% is 0.98, 99% is 0.99, or 100% is 1.00, Is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and x _a and y are rounded down to the nearest integer before subtracting it from x _a ).

  The percent identity can be determined for the full length of the sequence or any fragment thereof, with or without any insertions or deletions.

  The terms “peptide”, “polypeptide” and “protein” each refer to a molecule comprising two or more amino acid residues. The peptide may be a monomer or a polymer.

It is well recognized in the art that certain amino acid substitutions are considered “conservative”. Amino acids are grouped based on common side chain properties, and substitutions within a group that maintain all or substantially all of the binding affinity of the antigen binding protein are considered conservative substitutions. See Table 2 below.

The present invention provides an antigen binding protein that binds to CD127 and comprises CDRH3 of SEQ ID NO: 4; a variant CDRH3 thereof, or CDRH3 of SEQ ID NOs: 132-137. The antigen binding protein can specifically bind to CD127 and can neutralize IL-7R activity.

  The present invention also provides an antigen-binding protein that binds to CD127 and comprises CDRH2 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or a variant CDRH2 thereof. The antigen binding protein can specifically bind to CD127 and can neutralize IL-7R activity.

  In addition to the CDRH3 or CDRH2 sequence, the antigen-binding protein may further include one or more CDRs selected from the following or all CDRs in any combination: CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) 3), CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4, or any one of SEQ ID NO: 132 to SEQ ID NO: 137), CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7); or any of the CDRs Mutant.

  For example, the antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4), or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5) and CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7), or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6), and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7), or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein comprises CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3), CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 4), CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 5), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 7). obtain. Alternatively, a variant CDR may be present and CDRH3 of SEQ ID NO: 4 may be replaced with any of the CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 132-137.

  The present invention provides an antigen binding protein that binds to CD127 and comprises CDRH3 of SEQ ID NO: 41; or a variant CDRH3 thereof. The antigen-binding protein can neutralize IL-7R activity.

  The present invention also provides an antigen binding protein that binds to CD127 and comprises CDRH2 of SEQ ID NO: 40; or a variant CDRH2 thereof. The antigen-binding protein can neutralize IL-7R activity.

  In addition to the CDRH3 or CDRH2 sequence, the antigen-binding protein may further include one or more CDRs selected from the following or all CDRs in any combination: CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 39), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40 ), CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41), CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 42), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44), or any variant of said CDR.

  For example, the antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41) and CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 40), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41) and CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 39) and CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40) and CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41), or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 42) and CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 42), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44), or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44), or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein can comprise CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43), and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44), or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein comprises CDRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 39), CDRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 40), CDRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 41), CDRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 42), CDRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and CDRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 44). obtain. Alternatively, variant CDRs may be present.

  The present invention also provides an antigen-binding protein that binds to CD127 and comprises the CDRH3 corresponding to the variable domain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 or a variant CDRH3 thereof in the human acceptor framework. Antigen binding proteins can neutralize CD127 activity. The antigen binding protein may be a human antibody, a chimeric antibody, or a humanized antibody.

  The antigen binding protein may further comprise one or more or all of the corresponding CDRs selected from the variable domain sequences of SEQ ID NO: 8 and / or SEQ ID NO: 9, or variants thereof.

  The present invention also provides an antigen-binding protein that specifically binds to CD127 and comprises a CDRH3 corresponding to the variable domain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45 or a variant CDRH3 thereof in a human acceptor framework. Antigen binding proteins can neutralize CD127 activity. The antigen binding protein may be a human antibody, a chimeric antibody, or a humanized antibody.

  The antigen binding protein may further comprise one or more or all of the corresponding CDRs selected from the variable domain sequences of SEQ ID NO: 45 and / or SEQ ID NO: 46, or variants thereof.

  For example, the antigen binding protein may comprise a corresponding CDRH3 and a corresponding CDRH1, or a variant thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise the corresponding CDRH3 and the corresponding CDRH2, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise a corresponding CDRH1, a corresponding CDRH2, and a corresponding CDRH3, or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise the corresponding CDRL1 and the corresponding CDRL2, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise the corresponding CDRL2 and the corresponding CDRL3, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise a corresponding CDRL1, a corresponding CDRL2, and a corresponding CDRL3, or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise the corresponding CDRH3 and the corresponding CDRL3, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise a corresponding CDRH3, a corresponding CDRH2, and a corresponding CDRL3, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise a corresponding CDRH3, a corresponding CDRH2, a corresponding CDRL2, and a corresponding CDRL3, or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise a corresponding CDRH1, a corresponding CDRH2, a corresponding CDRH3, a corresponding CDRL1, a corresponding CDRL2, and a corresponding CDRL3, or variants thereof.

  Corresponding CDRs can be defined by reference to Kabat (1987), Chothia (1989), AbM, or contact methods. One definition of each of the methods can be found in Table 1, and a reference heavy chain variable domain (SEQ ID NO: 8 or SEQ ID NO: 45) and a reference light chain variable domain (SEQ ID NO: 9) to determine the corresponding CDRs. And SEQ ID NO: 46).

  The present invention also provides an antigen-binding protein comprising binding unit H3 or variant H3 that binds to CD127 and comprises Kabat residues 95 to 101 of SEQ ID NO: 8. The antigen binding protein may be a human antigen binding protein such as an antibody, a humanized antigen binding protein, or a chimeric antigen binding protein.

  The antigen binding protein may further comprise one or more or all binding units selected from: H1, comprising Kabat residues 31-32 of SEQ ID NO: 8, Kabat residues 52-56 of SEQ ID NO: 8 H2, comprising Kabat residues 30-34 of SEQ ID NO: 9, L1, comprising Kabat residues 50-55 of SEQ ID NO: 9, and Kabat residues 89 of SEQ ID NO: 9 L3 comprising -96; or a mutant binding unit.

  The present invention also provides an antigen-binding protein comprising binding unit H3 or variant H3 that binds to CD127 and comprises Kabat residues 95 to 101 of SEQ ID NO: 45. The antigen binding protein may be a human antigen binding protein such as an antibody, a humanized antigen binding protein, or a chimeric antigen binding protein.

  The antigen binding protein may further comprise one or more or all binding units selected from: H1, Kabat residues 52-56 of SEQ ID NO: 46, comprising Kabat residues 31-32 of SEQ ID NO: 45 H2, comprising Kabat residues 30-34 of SEQ ID NO: 46, L1, comprising Kabat residues 50-55 of SEQ ID NO: 46, and Kabat residues 89 of SEQ ID NO: 46 L3 comprising -96; or a mutant binding unit.

  For example, the antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H3 and binding unit H1, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H3 and binding unit H2, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H1, binding unit H2 and binding unit H3; or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit L1, binding unit L2, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit L2, binding unit L3, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit L1, binding unit L2, and binding unit L3; or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H3 and binding unit L3, or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H3, binding unit H2 and binding unit L3; or variants thereof. The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H3, binding unit H2, binding unit L2, and binding unit L3; or variants thereof.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise binding unit H1, binding unit H2, binding unit L2, binding unit H3, binding unit L1, binding unit L2, and binding unit L3; or variants thereof.

  A CDR variant or variant binding unit comprises an amino acid sequence modified by at least one amino acid, said modification being a chemical or partial change of the amino acid sequence (eg by 10 amino acids or less), The modification allows the variant to retain the biological characteristics of the unmodified sequence. For example, the mutant is a functional mutant that binds to CD127. Partial changes in the CDR amino acid sequence are due to deletions or substitutions of one to several amino acids (eg, by 10 or fewer amino acids), or additions or insertions of one to several amino acids, or combinations thereof It can be. A CDR variant or binding unit variant may contain any combination of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions in the amino acid sequence. A CDR variant or binding unit variant may contain any combination of 1, 2 or 3 amino acid substitutions, insertions, additions or deletions in the amino acid sequence. Substitution at an amino acid residue may be, for example, a conservative substitution that substitutes one hydrophobic amino acid with another. For example, leucine can be replaced with valine or isoleucine.

  CDRs L1, L2, L3, H1, H2 and H3 tend to structurally represent one of a finite number of main chain higher order structures (canonicals). A particular reference structural class of CDRs is defined by the length of the CDRs and the loop packing determined by residues (structure-determining residues or SDRs) present at important positions in both the CDR and framework regions. Martin and Thornton (1996; J Mol Biol 263: 800-815) created a method for automatically defining “key residue” reference templates. Cluster analysis is used to define a reference class for a set of CDRs, and then a reference template is identified by analyzing buried hydrophobics, hydrogen bonding residues, and conserved glycine and proline. The CDR sequence of an antibody can be assigned to a reference class by comparing the sequence to a template of key residues and scoring each template using an identity or similarity matrix.

Based on the reference class of the 1A11 H3L4 antibody (SEQ ID NO: 13 (1A11.H3 V _H ) or SEQ ID NO: 22 (1A11.L4 V _κ )), the binding of the functional antibody is determined by the following CDR substitution (before the Kabat number) The amino acid is the original amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence after the Kabat number can be predicted to be maintained in the presence of:
CDRH1 criteria:
Y32I, Y32H, Y32F, Y32T, Y32N, Y32C, Y32E, Y32D
T33Y, T33A, T33W, T33G, T33L, T33V
M34I, M34V, M34W
N35E, N35H, N35Q, N35S, N35Y, N35T
CDRH2 criteria:
L50R, L50E, L50W, L50Y, L50G, L50Q, L50V, L50N, L50K, N50A
I51L, I51V, I51T, I51S, I51N
N52D, N52L, N52S, N52Y
Y53A, Y53G, Y53S, Y53K, Y53T, Y53N
N54S, N54T, N54K, N54D, N54G
V56Y, V56R, V56E, V56D, V56G, V56S, V56A
S58K, S58N, S58T, S58D, S58R, S58G, S58F, S58Y
CDRH3 criteria:
V102Y, V102H, V102I, V102S, V102D, V102G
CDRL1 criteria:
S29V
M33L
CDRL3 criteria:
Q89L
E90Q
W91Y
Y93S, Y93R

  Thus, the antigen binding protein may or may not have any of the above substitutions in the CDR positions. Multiple substitutions per variant CDR, per corresponding CDR, per binding unit, per heavy chain or light chain variable region, per heavy chain or light chain, and per antigen binding protein Any combination of substitutions may be present in the antigen binding proteins of the present invention so long as the CDR canonical structure is maintained.

  For the removal of doubt, the above substitutions should not be construed as limiting the possible CDR substitutions that can be made while retaining the function of the anti-CD127 antibody.

An antigen binding protein comprising the described CDRs, corresponding CDRs, variant CDRs, binding units, or variant binding units is a 1A11c (chimera, V _H -SEQ ID NO: 28, V _κ as demonstrated by EC50) - it can exhibit binding ability to SEQ ID NO: 75) within 10 times the binding capacity indicated or 5 within a factor CD127 - SEQ ID NO: 29) or 6A3c (chimeric, _{V H} - SEQ ID NO: 74, V _kappa. The ability to bind to CD127 can be demonstrated by various methods such as binding affinity (eg, by BIAcore) or EC50 (eg, by ELISA assay).

As described above, a particular reference structural class of CDRs is defined by the length of the CDRs and the loop packing determined by residues present at key positions in both the CDR and framework regions. Thus, based on the reference class, while retaining functional antibodies in addition to the CDRs, variant CDRs, corresponding CDRs, binding units, or variants thereof listed in SEQ ID NOs: 2-6, the present invention Substitutions can be made at framework residues of these antigen binding proteins. Such substitutions include the following (using Kabat numbering):
Heavy chain: V, I or G at position 2; L or V at position 4; L, I, M or V at position 20; C at position 22; T, A, V, G or S at position 24; G at position 29; I, F, L or S at position 29; W at position 36; W or Y at position 47; I, M, V or L at position 48; I, L, F, M or V at position 69; V, A, R or L at position 71; A, L, V, Y or F at position 78; L or M at position 80; Y or F at position 90; C at position 92; and / or R at position 94 , K, G, S, H or N; and / or light chain: I, L or V at position 2; V, Q, L or E at position 3; M or L at position 4; C at position 23; W at 35; position 36 Y, L or F at position 46; S, L, R or V at position 46; Y, H, F or K at position 49; Y or F at position 71; C at position 88; and / or F at position 98.

  Any one, any combination, or all of the above framework positions may be present in the antigen binding protein of the invention. Since there can be multiple variable framework reference positions per heavy or light chain variable region, per heavy or light chain, and per antigen binding protein, the framework reference structure is maintained. As long as it is present, any combination may be present in the antigen-binding protein of the present invention.

  For example, the heavy chain variable framework is V at position 2, L at position 4, V at position 20, C at position 22, A at position 24, G at position 26, F at position 29, W at position 36, position 47 W, M at position 48, L at position 69, R at position 71, A at position 78, M at position 80, Y at position 90, C at position 92, and R at position 94, Also, for example, the light chain variable framework is: I at position 2, L at position 4, C at position 23, W at position 35, Y at position 36, F at position 71, C at position 88, E at position 90. , And Y at position 93.

  One or more of the CDRs, corresponding CDRs, variant CDRs or binding units described herein may be present in the context of a human framework, eg, as a humanized or chimeric variable domain.

  The humanized heavy chain variable domain comprises the CDRs listed in SEQ ID NOs: 2-4 or SEQ ID NOs: 39-41; variants CDRs thereof; corresponding CDRs; binding units; An acceptor frame having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more, or 100% identity in the framework region to the acceptor variable domain sequence It may be included in the work.

  The humanized light chain variable domain comprises the CDRs listed in SEQ ID NOs: 5-7 or SEQ ID NOs: 42-44; variants CDRs thereof; corresponding CDRs; binding units; An acceptor frame having 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more, or 100% identity in the framework region to the acceptor variable domain sequence It may be included in the work.

  In addition, the present invention binds to CD127 and is selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129 or 131 An antigen binding protein comprising a heavy chain variable region is provided. The antigen binding protein comprises a light chain variable region selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27. Any of the heavy chain variable regions may be combined with any of the light chain variable regions. In addition, the antigen-binding protein can neutralize CD127.

  The present invention also binds to CD127 and has SEQ ID NOs: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. An antigen binding protein comprising a heavy chain variable region selected from any one of 67, 68 or 69. The antigen binding protein may comprise a light chain variable region selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70, 71, 72, 73 or 138. Any of the heavy chain variable regions may be combined with any of the light chain variable regions. In addition, the antigen-binding protein can neutralize CD127.

  The antibody heavy chain variable region is SEQ ID NO: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129 or 131; or SEQ ID NO: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 75% or more, 80% or more with respect to any one of 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more, or 100% identity.

  The antibody light chain variable region is against SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27; or any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70, 71, 72, 73 or 138 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more, or 100% identity.

  SEQ ID NO: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129 or 131 The percent identity of the variant can be determined over the entire length of the sequence.

  The antibody heavy chain variable region is SEQ ID NO: 10, containing 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions, It may be a variant of any one of 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129 or 131.

  The antibody light chain variable region is SEQ ID NO: 18, 19 containing 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid substitution, insertion or deletion. , 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27.

  For example, the reference CDR and reference framework residue substitutions are present in the variant heavy or light chain variable region as a variant sequence that is at least 75% identical or contains no more than 30 amino acid substitutions. Also good.

  In another embodiment, the antibody heavy chain variable region contains 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions Any of SEQ ID NOS: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69 Or a single variant. The antibody light chain variable region is SEQ ID NO: 70, 71 containing 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid substitution, insertion or deletion. 72 or 73 may be a variant.

  For example, the reference CDR and reference framework residue substitutions are present in the variant heavy or light chain variable region as a variant sequence that is at least 75% identical or contains no more than 30 amino acid substitutions. Also good.

  Any of the heavy chain variable regions of the present invention may be combined with a suitable human constant region. Any of the light chain variable regions of the present invention may be combined with a suitable constant region.

  The present invention also specifically binds to CD127, and any combination of the following heavy and light chain variable domains: 1A11. H3. An antigen binding protein comprising L4 (SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 22) or a heavy chain variable domain having at least 75% identity to SEQ ID NO: 13 and at least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO: 22 Provided is an antigen-binding protein having a sex light chain variable domain. In addition, the antigen-binding protein can neutralize CD127.

  Any of the above antigen-binding proteins, for example, a variant whose sequence is partially altered by chemical modification and / or insertion, deletion, or substitution of one or more amino acid residues, or any of the above sequences Variants with 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, 98% or more, or 99% or more identity to 1A11 as demonstrated by EC50 or BIAcore Alternatively, the binding ability to CD127 within 10 times or 5 times the binding ability shown by 6A3 can be shown. The ability to bind to CD127 can be verified by EC50 (performed by ELISA assay) or by the ability to bind (performed by BIAcore).

  The inventors have experimentally found that it is possible to replace specific positions within CDRH3 to reduce binding affinity (ie, bind more strongly). Such CDRH3 analogs are listed in Table 4. Substitutions at positions N98 and F100b (Kabat numbering) have been found to be particularly effective in increasing affinity. Specific substitutions include N98D, N98E, F100bE, F100bI and F100bV. The CDRH3 sequences representing these substitutions are SEQ ID NOs: 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, and 137, respectively.

  The present invention contemplates incorporating such substitutions into any of the antibodies described herein.

  In one embodiment, an antibody of the invention has a W (Trp) residue at position 100.

  It may be desirable to modify such effector function of an antigen-binding fragment, for example to enhance ADCC or CDC, half-life, etc.

  In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein of the invention may be Fc-incapable. One method of disabling Fc comprises substitution of alanine residues at heavy chain constant region positions 235 and 237 (EU index numbering). Alternatively, the antigen binding protein has Fc function and may not contain alanine substitutions at positions 235 and 237.

  The antigen binding protein has an in vivo half-life of at least 6 hours, at least 1 day, at least 2 days, at least 3 days, at least 4 days, at least 5 days, at least 7 days or at least 9 days in a human or mouse animal model. Can do.

  The antigen binding protein can be derived from a rat, mouse, primate (eg, cynomolgus monkey, old world monkey, or ape) or human. The antigen binding protein may be a human antibody, a humanized antibody or a chimeric antibody. An antigen binding protein may comprise a constant region that may be of any isotype or subclass. The constant region may be the constant region of an IgG isotype, eg, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, or variants thereof. The constant region of the antigen binding protein may be IgG1.

  Mutational changes to the Fc effector portion of the antibody can be used to alter the affinity of the interaction between FcRn and the antibody to modulate antibody turnover. The half-life of the antibody can be extended in vivo. This can be beneficial to the patient population as maintaining the in vivo IC50 for a longer period of time can achieve the maximum dose and the highest dosing frequency. Since it may not be desirable to kill cells that express CD127, all or part of the Fc effector function of the antibody may be removed. This removal can enhance the safety profile.

  An antigen binding protein comprising a constant region can reduce ADCC and / or complement activation or effector function. The constant region may comprise a non-naturally occurring constant region of IgG2 or IgG4 isotype, or a mutated IgG1 constant domain. Examples of suitable modifications are described in EP 0307434. One method of disabling Fc comprises substitution of alanine residues at heavy chain constant region positions 235 and 237 (EU index numbering).

  The antigen binding protein may comprise one or more modifications selected from a mutated constant region such that the effector function / ADCC and / or complement activation of the antibody is enhanced. Examples of suitable modifications are described in Shields et al. J. et al. Biol. Chem (2001) 276: 6591-6604, Lazar et al. PNAS (2006) 103: 4005-4010 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,056, WO2004063351, and WO2004029207.

  The antigen binding protein may comprise a constant region with an altered glycosylation profile such that the effector function / ADCC and / or complement activation of the antigen binding protein is enhanced. Examples of suitable methods for producing antigen binding proteins with altered glycosylation profiles are described in WO 2003/011878, WO 2006/014679, and EP 1229125. Has been.

  The CD127 polypeptide to which the antigen binding protein binds can be a recombinant polypeptide, can include an extracellular domain (ECD) optionally fused to another protein, such as an Fc domain, and can be a full-length CD127. Proteins may be included. CD127 may be present in solution or may be attached to a solid surface. For example, CD127 may be attached to beads such as magnetic beads. CD127 may be biotinylated. CD127 can be immobilized on the solid surface by coupling biotin and streptavidin on the solid surface using a biotin molecule conjugated to CD127.

  The present invention also provides nucleic acid molecules that encode the antigen binding proteins described herein. The nucleic acid molecule comprises (i) one or more CDRHs, heavy chain variable sequences or full length heavy chain sequences, and (ii) one or more CDRRLs, such that (i) and (ii) are present on the same nucleic acid molecule. , A light chain variable sequence, or a sequence encoding a full length light chain sequence. Alternatively, a nucleic acid molecule encoding an antigen binding protein described herein comprises (a) one or more CDRHs, heavy chain variable sequences, such that (a) and (b) are present on separate nucleic acid molecules, Or (b) sequences encoding one or more CDRL, light chain variable sequences, or full length light chain sequences.

  The nucleic acid molecule encoding the heavy chain variable domain can comprise SEQ ID NOs: 30-36. The nucleic acid molecule encoding the light chain variable domain can comprise SEQ ID NOs: 10-113.

  A nucleic acid molecule encoding a heavy chain variable domain can comprise SEQ ID NOs: 75-96. The nucleic acid molecule encoding the light chain variable domain can comprise SEQ ID NOs: 97-100.

  The present invention also provides an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule described herein. Also provided are recombinant host cells comprising the expression vectors described herein.

  The antigen binding proteins described herein can be produced in a suitable host cell. The method for producing an antigen binding protein described herein may comprise culturing a host cell described herein and recovering the antigen binding protein. A recombinant transformed, transfected, or transduced host cell may comprise at least one expression cassette, said expression cassette comprising a polyenzyme encoding the heavy chain of an antigen binding protein described herein. A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide and further comprising a light chain of an antigen binding protein described herein. Alternatively, the recombinantly transformed, transfected or transduced host cell may comprise at least one expression cassette, the first expression cassette being the heavy chain of an antigen binding protein described herein. And further comprising a second expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide encoding the light chain of an antigen binding protein described herein. A stably transformed host cell may comprise a vector comprising one or more expression cassettes encoding the heavy and / or light chains of the antigen binding proteins described herein. For example, such a host cell can comprise a first vector encoding a light chain and a second vector encoding a heavy chain.

  The host cell can be a eukaryotic cell, eg, a mammalian cell. Examples of such cell lines include CHO or NS0. The host cell may be a non-human host cell. The host cell may be a non-embryonic host cell. Host cells can be cultured in a culture medium, such as a serum-free culture medium. The antigen binding protein can be secreted into the culture medium by the host cell. The antigen-binding protein can be purified to at least 95% (for example, 98% or more) with respect to the culture medium containing the antigen-binding protein.

  A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antigen binding protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also provided by the present invention. Further provided is a kit of parts comprising the pharmaceutical composition together with instructions for use. For convenience, the kit of parts may include a predetermined amount of reagent along with instructions for use.

Antibody structure
Intact antibodies The light chain of antibodies from most vertebrate species can be attributed to one of two types, called kappa and lambda, based on the amino acid sequence of the constant region. Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant region of its heavy chain, human antibodies can be assigned to five different classes, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. IgG and IgA can be further subdivided into subclasses, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4, and IgA1 and IgA2. There are species variants, and mice and rats have at least IgG2a, IgG2b.

  The portion of the variable area that is saved is called the framework area (FR). The intact heavy and light chain variable domains each contain four FRs linked by three CDRs. The CDRs of each chain are held in close proximity to the FR region and together with the CDRs of the other chains contribute to the formation of the antibody antigen binding site.

  The constant region is not directly involved in binding of the antibody to the antigen but is mediated by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), phagocytosis through binding to Fcγ receptors, and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). Various effector functions such as half-life / clearance rate and involvement in complement dependent cytotoxicity via the C1q component of the complement cascade are shown.

  The human IgG2 constant region has been reported to essentially lack the ability to activate complement by the classical pathway or mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The human IgG4 constant region has been reported to lack the ability to activate complement by the classical pathway and to mediate only a few antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicities. Antibodies that essentially lack these effector functions are sometimes referred to as “non-soluble” antibodies. It may be desirable to reduce the effector function of an antibody according to the present invention to the extent that it optionally does not have an effector function. In one embodiment, the antibody according to the present invention is non-soluble. In one embodiment, the antibody according to the present invention has essentially no effector function. The antibody may or may not be conjugated to another molecule, for example, a molecule intended to alter effector function such as a cytotoxic or radioactive moiety. In one embodiment, the antibody is not conjugated to another molecule, such as a radiolabel or cytotoxic molecule. In this embodiment, the antibody exerts its functional effect by blocking natural biological interactions rather than by directly killing cells.

Human antibodies Human antibodies can be made by a number of methods known to those skilled in the art. Human antibodies can be produced by the hybridoma method using human myeloma or mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines. Kozbor (1984) J. Org. See Immunol 133, 3001, and Brodeur, Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, 51-63 (Marcel Decker Inc, 1987). Another method includes the use of phage libraries or transgenic mice, both of which utilize the human variable region repertoire (Winter (1994) Annu. Rev. Immunol 12: 433-455; Green (1999). ) J. Immunol. Methods 231: 11-23).

  Several strains of transgenic mice are now available in which the mouse immunoglobulin loci have been replaced by human immunoglobulin gene segments (Tomizuka (2000) PNAS 97: 722-727; Fishwild (1996). Nature Biotechnol.14: 845-851; Mendez (1997) Nature Genetics, 15: 146-156). Upon antigen challenge, such mice can produce a repertoire of human antibodies from which the antibody of interest can be selected.

  Phage display technology can be used to make human antigen binding proteins (and fragments thereof). McCafferty (1990) Nature 348: 552-553 and Griffiths et al. (1994) EMBO 13: 3245-3260.

  Affinity maturation techniques (Marks Bio / technol (1992) 10: 779-783) can also be used to improve binding affinity, and the affinity of primary human antibodies is determined by the variable regions of the heavy and light chains in turn. Improved by substituting with naturally occurring variants and selecting on the basis of improved binding capacity. Variations on this technique such as “epitope imprinting” are currently available. For example, WO 93/06213 pamphlet; Waterhouse (1993) Nucl. Acids Res. 21: 2265-2266.

Chimeric and humanized antibodies Chimeric antibodies are typically made using recombinant DNA methods. DNA encoding an antibody (eg, cDNA) can be obtained using conventional procedures (eg, by using oligonucleotide probes that can specifically bind to the genes encoding the heavy and light chains of the antibody). Released and sequenced. Hybridoma cells function as a typical source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA is placed in an expression vector and then transfected into a host cell such as E. coli, COS cell, CHO cell or bone marrow cell that does not produce immunoglobulin proteins in the absence of the expression vector, Synthesize antibodies. DNA may be modified by using human light and heavy chain coding sequences in place of the corresponding non-human (eg, murine) heavy and light constant regions. See, for example, Morrison (1984) PNAS 81: 6851.

  Immunity is greatly reduced by grafting only the CDRs of non-human (eg, mouse) antibodies (“donor” antibodies) to the human framework (“acceptor framework”) and constant regions to produce humanized antibodies. (Jones et al. (1986) Nature 321: 522-525; and Verhoeyen et al. (1988) Science 239: 1534-1536). However, since the CDR graft itself cannot fully retain the antigen-binding properties, in many cases, some framework residues of the donor antibody are humanized when it is desired to restore significant antigen-binding affinity. (Queen et al. (1989) PNAS 86:10, 029-10, 033: Co et al. (Also referred to as “backmutation”). 1991) Nature 351: 501-502). In this case, the human variable region showing the highest sequence homology to the non-human donor antibody is selected from the database to provide a human framework (FR). The selection of human FRs can also be made from either human consensus or individual human antibodies. If necessary, important residues from the donor antibody can be substituted into the human acceptor framework to preserve the higher order structure of the CDRs. Antibody computer modeling can be used to help identify such structurally important residues. See WO99 / 48523.

  Alternatively, humanization can be performed by a “veneering” process. By statistical analysis of the unique human and mouse immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions, the exact pattern of exposed residues differs between human and mouse antibodies, and most individual surface positions are It has been shown to have a strong preference for a small number of different residues (Padlan et al. (1991) Mol. Immunol. 28: 489-498; and Pedersen et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235: 959-973). Thus, it is possible to reduce the immunogenicity of non-human Fv by substituting exposed residues in framework regions that are different from those normally found in human antibodies. Since protein antigenicity may be correlated with surface accessibility, substitution of surface residues may be sufficient to make the mouse variable region “invisible” to the human immune system (Mark) (1994) Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology Vol.113: See also The pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, Springer-Verlag, 105-134). This humanization procedure is called “veneering” because it modifies only the surface of the antibody and keeps the supporting residues intact. Yet another approach includes those described in WO 04/006955, and Humaneing ™ (Kalbios), which uses a bacterial expression system to produce antibodies whose sequence is close to that of the human germline. (Alfenito-M Advanced Protein Therapeutics January 2007, San Diego, California).

Bispecific antigen binding proteins Bispecific antigen binding proteins are antigen binding proteins that have binding specificities for at least two different epitopes. Methods for producing such antigen binding proteins are known in the art. Traditionally, recombinant production of bispecific antigen binding proteins is based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs in which the two heavy chains have different binding specificities. Millstein et al. (1983) Nature 305: 537-539; WO 93/08829; and Traunecker et al. (1991) EMBO 10: 3655-3659. A random combination of heavy and light chains can produce a mixture of ten different antibody structures, only one of which has the desired binding specificity. Another approach involves fusing a variable domain with the desired binding specificity to a heavy chain constant region comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. The CH1 region containing the site necessary for binding to the light chain can be present in at least one of the fusions. These fusions and, if desired, DNA encoding the light chain are inserted into separate expression vectors and then co-transfected into a suitable host organism. However, it is also possible to insert two or three strands of coding sequences into one expression vector. In one approach, a bispecific antibody is composed of an H chain having a first binding specificity on one arm and an H chain-L chain pair, with the other arm being the second binding. Has specificity. See WO94 / 04690 pamphlet. See also Suresh et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 121: 210.

Fragments lacking the antigen-binding fragment constant region lack the ability to activate complement by classical pathways or mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Conventionally, such fragments are produced, for example, by digesting intact antibody proteins by papain digestion (see, eg, WO 94/29348), but can be characterized by recombinant techniques. It may be produced directly from the transformed host cell. For the production of ScFv, see Bird et al. (1988) Science 242: 423-426. Furthermore, antigen-binding fragments may be generated using various modification techniques as described below.

The Fv fragment is thought to have a lower interaction energy between the two chains than the FAb fragment. In order to stabilize the association of the V _H and V _L domains, they were converted to peptides (Bird et al. (1988) Science 242: 423-426; Huston et al. (1988) PNAS 85 (16): 5879-5883). , Disulfide bridges (Glockshuber et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29: 1362-1367) and “knob in hole” mutations (Zhu et al. (1997) Protein Sci., 6: 781-788). . ScFv fragments can be produced by methods well known to those skilled in the art. Whitlow et al. (1991) Methods Companion Methods Enzymol, 2: 97-105 and Huston et al. (1993) Int. Rev. See Immunol 10: 195-217. ScFv can also be produced in bacterial cells such as E. coli or eukaryotic cells. One problem with ScFv is that the product is monovalent so that the binding activity cannot be increased by multivalent bonds and the half-life is short. Attempts to overcome these problems include chemical coupling (Adams et al. (1993) Can. Res 53: 4026-4034; and McCartney et al. (1995) Protein Eng. 8: 301-314), Alternatively, the spontaneous site-specific dimerization of ScFv containing an unpaired C-terminal cysteine residue can produce bivalent (ScFv ′) ₂ from ScFv containing an additional C-terminal cysteine. . Alternatively, a “diabody” can be formed by shortening the peptide linker to 3-12 residues to form a multimer in ScFv. Holliger et al. (1993) PNAS 90: 6444-6448. ScFv trimers ("Triabodies", see Kortt et al. (1997) Protein Eng 10: 423-433) and tetramers ("Tetrabodies", Le Gall et al.) By shortening the linker further. (1999) FEBS Lett, 453: 164-168). Also, genetically fused with a motif that dimerizes proteins, a “mini antibody” (see Pack et al. (1992) Biochemistry 31: 1579-1584) and a “minibody” (Hu et al. (1996) Cancer Res. 56: 3055-3061) can be used to construct bivalent ScFv molecules. ScFv-Sc-Fv tandem ((ScFv) ₂ ) can also be produced by linking two ScFv units with a third peptide linker. Kurucz et al. (1995) J. Org. Immol. 154: 4576-4582. Bispecific diabodies can be made through non-covalent attachment of two single-chain fusion products consisting of a _VH domain from one antibody, connected to the _VL domain of another antibody by a short linker. it can. Kipriyanov et al. (1998) Int. J. et al. Can 77: 763-772. Such bispecificity by introduction of a disulfide bridge or “knob in hole” mutation as described above, or by formation of a single chain diabody (ScDb) in which two hybrid ScFv fragments are connected through a peptide linker. Diabody stability can be increased. Kontermann et al. (1999) J. Org. Immunol. See Methods 226: 179-188. Tetravalent bispecific molecules are available, for example, by fusing a ScFv fragment to a Fab fragment through the CH3 domain or hinge region of an IgG molecule. Coloma et al. (1997) Nature Biotechnol. 15: 159-163. Alternatively, tetravalent bispecific molecules can be made by fusion of bispecific single chain diabodies (see Alt et al. (1999) FEBS Lett 454: 90-94). Also, the smaller tetravalent bispecific molecule is a ScFv-ScFv tandem, a linker containing a helix-loop-helix motif (DiBi mini antibody, Muller et al. (1998) FEBS Lett 432: 45-49). Or can be formed by dimerization with any of the single chain molecules comprising four antibody variable domains (V _H and V _L ) in an orientation that prevents intramolecular pairing (tandem diabody, Kipriyanov et al. (1999) J. Mol. Biol. 293: 41-56). Bispecific F (ab ′) ₂ fragments can be generated by chemical coupling of Fab ′ fragments or by heterodimerization through leucine zippers (Shalaby et al. (1992) J. Exp. Med. 175: 217-225; and Kostelny et al. (1992), J. Immunol. 148: 1547-1553). Isolated V _H and _VL domains are also available (Domantis plc), US Pat. No. 6,248,516; US Pat. No. 6,291,158; and US Pat. See 172,197.

Heteroconjugate antibodies Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalently bound antibodies formed using any convenient cross-linking method. See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,676,980.

Other Modifications The antigen binding proteins of the present invention may contain other modifications to enhance or change its effector function. The term “effector function” as used herein refers to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxic activity (CDC) -mediated reaction, Fc-mediated phagocytosis, and FcRn receptor. It is meant to refer to one or more of mediated antibody recycling. For IgG antibodies, effector functions, including ADCC and ADCP, are mediated by the interaction of the heavy chain constant region with the family of Fcγ receptors present on the surface of immune cells. In humans, these include FcγRI (CD64), FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16). Interactions between antigen-binding antigen-binding proteins and the formation of Fc / Fcγ complexes induce a range of actions including cytotoxicity, immune cell activation, phagocytosis, and release of inflammatory cytokines .

  It is believed that the interaction between the antigen binding protein constant region and various Fc receptors (FcR) mediates the effector function of the antigen binding protein. Significant biological effects are the result of effector function, in particular antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement fixation (complement dependent cytotoxicity or CDC), and antigen binding protein half-life / clearance. It can be. Usually, the ability to mediate effector function requires the binding of an antigen binding protein to an antigen, and not all antigen binding proteins mediate all effector functions.

  For example, effector function can be measured in a number of ways, such as by measuring ADCC effector function through binding of FcγRIII to natural killer cells or through binding of FcγRI to monocytes / macrophages. For example, the ADCC effector function of the antigen binding protein of the invention can be evaluated in a natural killer cell assay. Examples of such assays are described in Shields et al., 2001 The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 276, p6591-6604; Chappel et al., 1993 The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol 268, p25124-25131; Lazar et al., 2006 PNAS, 103; 4005-4010.

  Examples of assays for measuring CDC function include those described in 1995 J Imm Meth 184: 29-38.

  Some isotypes of the human constant region, particularly IgG4 and IgG2 isotypes, essentially lack the function of a) complement activation by the classical pathway; and b) antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Various modifications to the heavy chain constant region of the antigen binding protein may be made depending on the desired effector properties. IgG1 constant regions containing specific mutations have been independently reported to reduce binding to Fc receptors and thus reduce ADCC and CDC (Duncan et al. Nature 1988, 332; 563-564; Lund et al., J. Immunol., 1991, 147; 2657-2662; Chappel et al., PNAS 1991,88; 9036-9040; Burton and Woof, Adv.Immunol.1992,51; 1-84; Immunology 1995, 86; 319-324; Hezareh et al., J. Virol. 2001, 75 (24); 12161-12168).

  Various modifications to the Fc region of the antibody may be made depending on the desired properties. For example, specific mutations in the Fc region to render lytic antibodies insoluble are detailed in EP 0629 240 and EP 0307 434. Alternatively, a salvage receptor binding epitope may be incorporated into the antibody to increase serum half-life. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,277. Human Fcγ receptors include FcγR (I), FcγRIIa, FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa, and neonatal FcRn. Shields et al. (2001) J. Org. Biol. Chem 276: 6591-6604 demonstrated that a common set of IgG1 residues is involved in the binding of all FcγRs, but FcγRII and FcγRIII utilize different sites outside of this common set. . One group of IgG1 residues described below reduces binding to all FcγRs when changed to alanine: Pro-238, Asp-265, Asp-270, Asn-297 and Pro-239. All are present in the IgG CH2 domain and form a cluster near the hinge connecting CH1 and CH2. FcγRI utilizes only a common set of IgG1 residues for binding, but FcγRII and FcγRIII interact with different residues in addition to the common set. Changing several residues reduces only the binding to FcγRII (eg Arg-292) or FcγRIII (eg Glu-293). In some variants, binding to FcγRII or FcγRIII was improved, but binding to other receptors was not affected (eg, Ser-267 Ala improved binding to FcγRII, but binding to FcγRIII). Did not affect.) Other mutants improved binding to FcγRII or FcγRIII and decreased binding to other receptors (eg, Ser-298 Ala improved binding to FcγRIII and decreased binding to FcγRII). . In the case of FcγRIIIa, the IgG1 variant that showed the best binding had a combination of alanine substitutions at Ser-298, Glu-333 and Lys-334. Neonatal FcRn receptors are thought to be involved in both antibody clearance and transcytosis across tissues (Junghans (1997) Immunol. Res 16: 29-57; and Ghetie et al. (2000). ) Annu.Rev.Immunol.18: 739-766). Human IgG1 residues that have been found to interact directly with human FcRn include Ile253, Ser254, Lys288, Thr307, Gln311, Asn434 and His435. Substitution at any of the positions described in this paragraph can increase serum half-life and / or alter the effector properties of the antibody.

  Other modifications include glycosylation variants of the antibody. Glycosylation of antibodies at the conserved sites of these constant regions is known to have important effects on antibody functions, particularly effector functions as described above. For example, Boyd et al. (1996) Mol. Immunol. 32: 1311-1318. Contemplated are glycosylation variants of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof in which one or more carbohydrate moieties are added, substituted, deleted, or modified. Introduction of an asparagine-X-serine or asparagine-X-threonine motif creates a potential site in the carbohydrate moiety that can be enzymatically linked and can be used to manipulate the glycosylation of the antibody. Raju et al. (2001) In Biochemistry 40: 8868-8876, terminal sialylation of TNFR-IgG immunoadhesin is regalactosylation and / or using β-1,4-galactosyltransferase and / or α, 2,3 sialyltransferase. Increased through the process of resialylation. Increasing terminal sialylation is thought to increase the half-life of the immunoglobulin. As with most glycoproteins, antibodies are typically produced as a mixture of glycoforms. This mixture is particularly evident when antibodies are produced in eukaryotes, particularly mammalian cells. Various methods have been developed to produce defined glycoforms. Zhang et al. (2004) Science 303: 371: Sears et al. (2001) Science 291: 1344; Wacker et al. (2002) Science 298: 1790; Davis et al. (2002) Chem. Rev. 102: 579; Hang et al. (2001) Acc. Chem. See Res 34: 727. The antibodies (eg, IgG isotypes, eg, IgG1) described herein may comprise a defined number (eg, 7 or less, eg, 5 or less, eg, 2 or 1) of glycoforms.

  The antibody may or may not be coupled to a non-proteinaceous polymer such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol or polyoxyalkylene. Protein conjugation to PEG is an established technique for extending the half-life of a protein in addition to reducing the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the protein. Intact antibodies as well as Fab 'fragments have been studied for the use of PEGylation of various molecular weights and shapes (linear or branched). Koumenis et al. (2000) Int. J. et al. Pharmaceut. 198: 83-95.

Production Methods Antigen binding proteins include goat (see Pollock et al. (1999) J. Immunol. Methods 231: 147-157), chicken (Morrow (2000) Genet. Eng. News 20: 1-55. See), mouse (see Pollock et al.) Or plant (Doran (2000) Curr. Opinion Biotechnol. 11: 199-204; Ma (1998) Nat. Med. 4: 601-606; Baez et al. (2000) BioPharm 13: 50-54; Stoger et al. (2000) Plant Mol. Biol. 42: 583-590).

  Antigen-binding proteins can also be produced by chemical synthesis. However, antigen binding proteins are typically made using recombinant cell culture techniques well known to those skilled in the art. A polynucleotide encoding the antigen binding protein is isolated and further inserted into a replicable vector for cloning (amplification) or expression. One expression system is a glutamate synthesis system (eg, sold by Lonza Biologicals), particularly where the host cell is CHO or NSO. Polynucleotides encoding antigen binding proteins are readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (eg, oligonucleotide probes). Examples of vectors that can be used include plasmids, viruses, phages, transposons, and minichromosomes. Among these, plasmids are typically used. In general, such vectors further comprise a signal sequence operably linked to the antigen binding protein to facilitate expression, a replication origin, one or more marker genes, an enhancer element, a promoter, and a transcription termination sequence. Including. Polynucleotides encoding light and heavy chains may be inserted into separate vectors and introduced into the same host cell simultaneously or sequentially (eg, by transformation, transfection, electroporation, or transduction), as required Depending on the situation, both heavy chain and light chain may be inserted into the same vector before the introduction.

  Use codon optimization with the intention of increasing the total amount of protein produced by the host cell when transfected with a codon-optimized gene compared to the amount transfected with a wild-type sequence May be. Several methods have been published (Nakamura et al. (1996) Nucleic Acids Research 24: 214-215; WO 98/34640; WO 97/11086). Due to the redundancy of the genetic code, polynucleotides other than those disclosed herein (especially polynucleotides whose codons have been optimized for expression in a given host cell) are also described herein. It can encode an antigen binding protein. The codon usage of the antigen binding protein of the invention may be altered to adapt the codon bias of the host cell to increase the yield of transcripts and / or products (eg, Hoekema et al. Mol Cell Biol 1987 7 (8): 2914-24). The selection of codons may be based on suitable compatibility with the host cell used for expression.

The signal sequence antigen binding protein may be prepared as a fusion protein containing a heterologous signal sequence having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus of the mature protein. The signal sequence must be recognized and processed by the host cell. In the case of prokaryotic host cells, the signal sequence may be, for example, alkaline phosphatase, penicillinase or a thermostable enterotoxin II leader. For yeast secretions, the signal sequence may be, for example, a yeast invertase leader, an alpha factor leader or an acid phosphatase leader. See, for example, International Publication No. 90/13646. In mammalian cell systems, viral secretory leaders such as herpes simplex gD signal and native immunoglobulin signal sequences may be preferred. Typically, the signal sequence is ligated to DNA encoding the antigen binding protein in the reading frame.

The origin of replication is the origin of various viruses such as pBR322 suitable for most gram-negative bacteria, 2μ plasmid suitable for most yeast, SV40 suitable for most mammalian cells, polyoma, adenovirus, VSV or BPV. Are well known in the art. In general, the origin of replication component is not required for mammalian expression vectors, but SV40 may be used because it contains an early promoter.

Selection Markers Typical selection genes are (a) proteins that confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxins such as, for example, ampicillin, neomycin, methotrexate or tetracycline, or (b) complement or complex auxotrophic deficiencies Either encodes a protein that supplies nutrients that are not available in the medium, or (c) a combination of both. The selection scheme may include preventing host cell growth. Cells that have been successfully transformed with a gene encoding an antigen binding protein survive, for example, drug resistance conferred by a selectable marker delivered simultaneously. An example is a DHFR selectable marker in which transformants are cultured in the presence of methotrexate. The cells may be cultured in the presence of an increased amount of methotrexate to amplify the copy number of the target foreign gene. CHO cells are a particularly useful cell line for DHFR selection. A further example is the glutamate synthase expression system (Lonza Biologics). An example of a selection gene used in yeast is the trp1 gene. Stinchcomb et al. (1979) Nature 282: 38.

A suitable promoter for expressing a promoter antigen binding protein is operably linked to a DNA / polynucleotide encoding the antigen binding protein. Prokaryotic host promoters include phoA promoters, β-lactamases and lactose promoter systems, hybrid promoters such as alkaline phosphatase, tryptophan, and Tac. Suitable promoters for expression in yeast cells include 3-phosphoglycerate kinase or other glycolytic enzymes such as enolase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, pyruvate decarboxylase, phosphofract kinase , Glucose 6-phosphate isomerase, 3-phosphoglycerate mutase, and glucokinase. Inducible yeast promoters include alcohol dehydrogenase 2, isocytochrome C, acid phosphatase, metallothionein, and enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism or maltose / galactose utilization.

Promoters for expression in mammalian cell systems include polyoma, fowlpox, and adenovirus (eg, adenovirus 2), bovine papilloma virus, avian sarcoma virus, cytomegalovirus (particularly the immediate early gene promoter), retrovirus And viral promoters such as hepatitis B virus, actin, Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promoter, and early or late simian virus 40. Of course, the choice of promoter may be based on a suitable compatibility with the host cell used for expression. The first plasmid may comprise RSV and / or SV40 and / or CMV promoter, DNA encoding light chain variable region (V _L ), κC region with neomycin and ampicillin resistance selectable markers, RSV or SV40 promoter, DNA encoding heavy chain variable region (V _H ), DNA encoding γ1 constant region, DHFR and ampicillin resistance marker.

Enhancer elements Where appropriate, enhancer elements that are operably linked to promoter elements in a vector can be used, for example, for expression in higher eukaryotes. Mammalian enhancer sequences include globin, elastase, albumin, fetoprotein and insulin derived enhancer elements. Alternatively, an enhancer derived from a eukaryotic cell virus such as SV40 enhancer (bp 100-270), cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, polyoma enhancer, bacuvirus enhancer or mouse IgG2a locus may be used (International Publication No. (See pamphlet No. 009823). An enhancer may be located in the vector at a site upstream of the promoter. Alternatively, the enhancer may be located, for example, in the untranslated region or downstream of the polyadenylation signal. The choice and placement of enhancers may be based on suitable compatibility with the host cell used for expression.

In a polyadenylation / termination eukaryotic system, the polyadenylation signal is operably linked to a DNA / polynucleotide encoding an antigen binding protein. Such a signal is typically located 3 'of the open reading frame. In mammalian systems, non-limiting examples include signals derived from growth hormone, elongation factor 1 alpha and viral (eg, SV40) genes, or long terminal repeats of retroviruses. In yeast systems, non-limiting examples of polyadenylation / termination signals include those derived from phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (ADH) genes. In prokaryotic systems, polyadenylation signals are typically not required, and shorter and clearer terminator sequences are usually used instead. The selection of the polyadenylation / termination sequence may be based on suitable compatibility with the host cell used for expression.

Other methods / elements to increase yield In addition to the above, other mechanisms that can be used to increase yield include chromatin remodeling elements, introns, and codon modifications specific to the host cell. Can be mentioned.

Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing a vector encoding a host cell antigen binding protein are prokaryotic, yeast, or higher eukaryotic cells. Suitable prokaryotic cells include eubacteria, for example, Enterobacteriaceae, such as Escherichia, such as E. coli (eg, ATCC 31,446; 31,537; 27,325). , Enterobacter genus, Erwinia genus, Klebsiella genus (Klebsiella), Proteus genus (Proteus), Salmonella typhimurium genus Salmonella sera genus Salmonella (Serratia) and Shigella, B. subtilis and B. licheniformis Bacilli (see the former East German Patent No. 266 710), Pseudomonas such as P. aeruginosa, and Streptomyces, etc. . Among yeast host cells, budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), Kluyveromyces (for example, ATCC 16,045; 12,424; 24178; 56,500), yarrow 402,226), Pichia pastoris (European Patent No. 183 070, see also Peng et al. (2004) J. Biotechnol. 108: 185-192), Candida, Trichoderma reesia (European Patent No. 244 234), Penicillin, Tripok Indium genus (Tolypocladium), as well as a host of Aspergillus nidulans (A. nidulans) and Aspergillus niger (A. niger) Aspergillus such as (Aspergillus) is also conceivable.

  Higher eukaryotic host cells include COS-1 (ATCC number CRL 1650) COS-7 (ATCC CRL 1651), human embryonic kidney line 293, baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) (ATCC CRL. 1632), BHK570 (ATCC number) CRL 10314), 293 (ATCC No. CRL 1573), Chinese hamster ovary cell CHO (eg, DHFR-CHO cell lines such as CHO-K1, ATCC No. CCL 61, DG44 (Urlaub et al. (1986) Somatic Cell Mol. Genet). 12: 555-556), particularly CHO cell lines suitable for suspension culture, mouse Sertoli cells, monkey kidney culture cells, African green monkey kidney cells (ATCC CRL-1587), HELA cells, dog kidneys Cells (ATCC CCL 34), human lung cells (ATCC CCL 75), Hep G2 and myeloma or lymphoma cells such as NS0 (see US Pat. No. 5,807,715), Sp2 / 0, Y0 etc. Mammalian cells.

  Such host cells may also be further modified or adapted to improve the quality, function, and / or yield of the antigen binding protein. Non-limiting examples include expression of specific modification (eg, glycosylation) enzymes and protein holding chaperones.

Cell Culture Methods Host cells transformed with a vector encoding an antigen binding protein can be cultured by any method known to those skilled in the art. Host cells can be cultured in spinner flasks, roller bottles, or hollow fiber systems, but when produced on a large scale, a stirred tank reactor is used, especially for suspension culture. The agitation tank may be adapted for aeration using, for example, a sparger, baffle, or low shear impeller. For the bubble column and air lift reactor, aeration may be performed directly using air or oxygen bubbles. When culturing host cells in serum-free medium, a cytoprotective agent such as pluronic F-68 is added to the medium to help prevent cell damage due to the aeration process. Depending on the characteristics of the host cell, microcarriers may be used as a growth substrate for anchorage-dependent cell lines, and the cells may be adapted for suspension culture (this is typical). The cultivation of host cells, particularly spinal cord-free host cells, can be performed by various operations such as fed-batch, repeated batch processing (see Drapeau et al. (1994) Cytotechnology 15: 103-109), extended batch processing, or perfusion culture. You may use the method. Mammalian host cells transformed using recombinant techniques may be cultured in a serum-containing medium such as fetal calf serum (FCS), for example, such host cells are described in Keen et al. (1995) Cytotechnology 17: 153-163, or cultured in commercially available media such as ProCHO-CDM or UltraCHO ™ (Cambrex NJ, USA). In such cases, an energy source such as glucose and a synthetic growth factor such as recombinant insulin are added. Serum-free culture of host cells may require that these cells are adapted for growth in serum-free conditions. One adaptation approach is to culture such host cells in serum-containing medium and repeatedly replace 80% of the medium with serum-free medium so that the host cells can adapt to serum-free conditions ( See, eg, Scherfenberg et al. (1995) in Animal Cell Technology: Developments to the the 21st century (Beverly et al., 619-623, Kluwer Academic publishers).

  Antigen binding proteins secreted into the medium can be recovered and purified using a variety of techniques to obtain a degree of purification suitable for the intended use. For example, the use of an antigen binding protein to treat a human patient typically has a purity of at least 95%, more typically 98% or 99% or more (compared to the crude culture medium). Is required. Media cell debris is typically centrifuged and then removed using a clarification process such as, for example, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and / or depth filtration. Dialysis and gel electrophoresis and hydroxyapatite (HA), affinity chromatography (optionally including an affinity tagging system such as polyhistidine) and / or hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC, US Pat. No. 5,429,746) Various other techniques such as chromatographic techniques are available. The antibody can be captured using protein A or G affinity chromatography according to the following various clarification steps. This may be followed by further chromatographic steps such as ion exchange and / or HA chromatography, anion or cation exchange, size exclusion chromatography, and ammonium sulfate fractionation. Various virus removal steps may be used (eg, nanofiltration using a DV-20 filter, etc.). After these various steps, a purified (eg, monoclonal) preparation containing at least 75 mg / mL or more or 100 mg / mL or more of the antigen binding protein is obtained. Such a preparation is substantially free of aggregated forms of the antigen binding protein.

  Bacterial systems may be used to express antigen binding fragments. Such fragments can be localized in the surrounding cytoplasm within the cell or secreted extracellularly. Insoluble proteins can be extracted and refolded according to methods known to those skilled in the art to form active proteins. Sanchez et al. (1999) J. Org. Biotechnol. 72: 13-20; and Cupit et al. (1999) Lett Appl Microbiol 29: 273-277.

The terms pharmaceutical composition diseases, disorders and conditions are used interchangeably. Purified preparations of the antigen binding proteins described herein may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment of human diseases described herein. The pharmaceutical composition can be used in the treatment of diseases where IL-7 contributes to the disease or where inhibition / neutralization of IL-7R mediated signaling is beneficial. The pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein described herein.

  The pharmaceutical preparation may comprise the antigen binding protein in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The antigen binding protein may be administered alone or as part of a pharmaceutical composition.

  Typically, such compositions comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that are known and required by acceptable pharmaceutical practice. For example, Remingtons Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th edition (1980) Mack Publishing Co. Please refer to. Examples of such carriers include sterile carriers such as saline, Ringer's solution, or dextrose solution, which are optionally buffered to pH 5-8 with a suitable buffer.

  The pharmaceutical composition can be administered by injection or continuous infusion (eg, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intramuscular). Such a composition preferably does not contain visible particulates. The pharmaceutical composition may comprise 1 mg to 10 g of antigen binding protein, for example 5 mg to 1 g of antigen binding protein. Alternatively, the composition may comprise 5 mg to 500 mg, such as 5 mg to 50 mg.

  Methods for preparing such pharmaceutical compositions are well known to those skilled in the art. The pharmaceutical composition may comprise 1 mg to 10 g of antigen binding protein in a unit dosage form, optionally including instructions for use. The pharmaceutical composition may be lyophilized (freeze-dried) for reconstitution prior to administration according to methods well known or apparent to those skilled in the art. If the antibody has an IgG1 isotype, a citrate (eg, sodium citrate) or a copper chelator such as EDTA or histidine is added to the pharmaceutical composition to reduce the extent of copper-catalyzed degradation of the antibody of this isotype. It may be added. See EP 0612251. The pharmaceutical composition may also comprise a solubilizing agent such as an arginine base, a detergent / anti-aggregant such as polysorbate 80, and an inert gas such as nitrogen to displace oxygen in the vial headspace.

  Effective amounts and treatment regimens for administering the antigen binding protein are generally determined empirically and may depend on factors such as the age, weight, and health status of the patient and the disease or disorder being treated. Such factors are within the understanding of the attending physician. Guidance in selecting appropriate doses can be found, for example, in Smith et al. (1977) Antibodies in human diagnosis and therapy, Raven Press, New York. Accordingly, the antigen binding protein of the present invention can be administered in a therapeutically effective amount.

  The dosage of antigen binding protein administered to a subject is generally 1 μg to 150 mg, 0.1 mg to 100 mg, 0.5 mg to 50 mg, 1 to 25 mg, or 1 to 10 mg per kg body weight of the subject. . For example, the dose can be 10 mg / kg, 30 mg / kg or 60 mg / kg. The antigen binding protein may be administered parenterally, for example, subcutaneously, intravenously, or intramuscularly.

  If desired, an effective daily dose of the therapeutic composition may be administered in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more sub-doses, optionally in unit dosage form, separately at appropriate intervals. For example, the dose may be administered subcutaneously once every 14 or 28 days in the form of multiple sub-doses on each administration day.

  Typically, the dose may be administered by intravenous infusion over a period of 15 minutes to 24 hours, such as 2 to 12 hours, or 2 to 6 hours. This can reduce toxic side effects.

  Dosage is administered once or more as necessary, for example, 3 times a day, once a day, once every 2 days, once a week, once a week, once a month, once a month, 3 months May be repeated once every six months, or once every six months. The antigen binding protein may be administered once a week by maintenance therapy, for example over a period of 6 months or longer. The antigen-binding protein is administered intermittently, for example, in 3 cycles of the antigen-binding protein for 3 to 6 months, then not administered for 3 to 6 months, and then again for 3 to 6 months. It may be administered.

  By measuring the amount of IL-17 in the biological sample, the dosage can be determined or adjusted. Other means of determining or adjusting the dosage may be used, for example, pharmacological biological markers (“biomarkers”), muscle mass measurement, and / or function, safety, tolerability and therapeutic response. However, it is not limited to these. The antigen binding protein may be administered in an amount and for a period effective to down regulate IL-7 mediated signaling activity in the subject.

  The antigen binding protein may be administered to the subject to perform targeted therapy to a specific site. For example, antigen binding proteins may be injected locally into muscle, such as skeletal muscle.

  Antigen binding proteins include one or more other therapeutically active agents such as interferon beta (IFNβ-1a or IFNβ-1b) and immunomodulators such as glatiramer acetate, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine, cladribine, cyclosporine and mitoxin You may use together with other immunotherapy, such as immunosuppressive substances, such as Santron, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), plasma supplementation, and sulfasalazine. Additional therapeutic agents can be administered in a manner (dosage, timing, mechanism) as directed by the physician. In one embodiment, additional therapeutic agents may be administered simultaneously or sequentially or separately with the antigen binding protein of the invention. In one embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent and the antigen binding protein are administered so that the pharmacological effects on the patient overlap, in other words, to exert a biological effect on the patient simultaneously.

  When antigen binding proteins are used in combination with other therapeutically active agents, the individual components may be administered by any suitable route, either together or separately, sequentially or simultaneously, in separate or combined pharmaceutical formulations. When administered separately or sequentially, the antigen binding protein and the therapeutically active agent may be administered in any order.

  The above combinations may be presented for use in the form of a single pharmaceutical formulation comprising a combination as defined above, optionally with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

  It will be appreciated that when combined in the same formulation, the components must be stable and compatible with each other and the other components of the formulation and can be formulated for administration. When formulated separately, it may be provided in any convenient formulation, eg, as is known for antigen binding proteins in the art.

  When combined with a second therapeutically active agent for the same disease, the dose of each component may be different than when the antigen binding protein is used alone. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize appropriate doses.

  Antigen binding proteins and therapeutically active agents may act synergistically. In other words, when an antigen binding protein and a therapeutically active agent are administered in combination, the effect on the disease, disorder, or condition described herein may be greater than the sum of each single effect.

  The pharmaceutical composition may include a kit of parts of the antigen binding protein and other agents, optionally with instructions for use. For convenience, the kit may include a predetermined amount of reagent along with instructions for use.

  The terms “individual”, “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably in the present invention. The subject is typically a human. The subject may also be a mammal such as a mouse, rat or primate (eg, marmoset or monkey). The subject may be a non-human animal. Antigen binding proteins may also be used in veterinary medicine. The subject to be treated may be a domestic animal such as a cow or bull, a sheep, a pig, a bull, a goat or a horse, or a pet such as a dog or cat. The animal may be of any age and may be a mature adult animal.

  The treatment may be therapeutic, prophylactic, or preventative. A subject may be a subject in need thereof. A subject in need of treatment may comprise an individual who may develop the disease in the future in addition to an individual already suffering from a particular medical disease.

  Accordingly, the antigen binding proteins described herein can be used for prophylactic or preventative treatment. In this case, the antigen binding proteins described herein are administered to an individual to prevent or delay the occurrence of one or more aspects or symptoms of the disease. The subject can be asymptomatic. The subject may have a genetic predisposition to the disease. Such individuals are administered a prophylactically effective amount of the antigen binding protein. A prophylactically effective amount is an amount that prevents or delays the occurrence of one or more aspects or symptoms of the diseases described herein.

  The antigen binding proteins described herein may also be used in therapeutic methods. The term “treatment” includes the alleviation, reduction or prevention of at least one aspect or symptom of the disease. For example, the antigen binding proteins described herein can be used to ameliorate or reduce one or more aspects or symptoms of the diseases described herein.

  The antigen binding proteins described herein are used in an amount effective for therapeutic, prophylactic, or preventative treatment. A therapeutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein described herein is an amount effective to ameliorate or reduce one or more aspects or symptoms of a disease. In addition, the antigen-binding proteins described herein can be used to treat, prevent, or cure the diseases described herein.

  The antigen binding proteins described herein can generally have a beneficial effect on the health of the subject, for example, can increase the predicted life span of the subject.

  The antigen binding proteins described herein need not completely cure or eradicate all symptoms or signs of the disease in order to provide viable therapeutic treatment. As recognized in the appropriate field, drugs used as therapeutic agents can reduce the severity of a given disease state, but all of the diseases are considered to be useful therapeutic agents. It's not necessary to eliminate the symptoms. Similarly, a prophylactically administered treatment need not be completely effective in preventing the onset of the disease in order to constitute a viable prophylactic agent. Simply reducing the impact of the disease (eg by reducing the number or severity of its symptoms, or by increasing the effectiveness of another treatment, or by producing another beneficial effect) or ( It is sufficient to reduce the likelihood that a disease will develop or worsen in a subject (eg, by delaying the onset of the disease).

The antigen binding proteins of the present invention can be used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, particularly those involving pathogenic _TH 17 cells. Such diseases are associated with high levels of IL-17 expression. High levels of IL-17 have been reported in MS serum and CSF (Matusevicius, D. et al .; Multi. Scler. 5, 101-104; 1999), and synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis . IL-17 is also implicated in psoriasis (Homey et al .; J. Immunol. 164 (12): 6621-32; 2000), while high levels of IL-17 in Behcet's disease are also reported by Hamzaoui et al. Has been reported (Scan. J. Rhuematol .; 31: 4, 205-210; 2002). High levels of IL-17 have also been observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (Wong et al .; Lupus 9 (8): 589-93; 2000).

  Inhibition of IL-7 receptor-mediated signaling may also be useful in the treatment of inflammatory (non-autoimmune) diseases involving increased IL-17, such as asthma.

  Accordingly, the inflammatory diseases and / or autoimmune diseases of the present invention include inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; systemic scleroderma and sclerosis; inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); Crohn's disease; Ulcerative colitis; including surgical tissue reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, reperfusion after cardiac surgery, and myocardial ischemia such as stenosis, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm Ischemia-reperfusion injury; cerebral edema secondary to stroke; cranial trauma, circulatory blood loss shock; asphyxia; adult respiratory distress syndrome; acute lung injury; Behcet's disease; dermatomyositis; multiple myositis; MS); dermatitis; encephalitis; encephalitis; uveitis; osteoarthritis; lupus nephritis; rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis and other autoimmune diseases; diseases including leukocyte leakage; central nervous system (CNS) inflammation Multiple organ injury syndrome secondary to injury, sepsis or trauma; alcoholic hepatitis; bacterial pneumonia; antigen-antibody complex-mediated disease including glomerulonephritis; sepsis; sarcoidosis; immunopathological response to tissue / organ transplant; Lung inflammation, including alveolitis, vasculitis, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, diffuse panbronchiolitis, irritable pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and cystic fibrosis; Osteoarthritis; optic neuritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), COPD, type 1 diabetes and the like.

  In particular, the antagonists of the present invention may be useful in the treatment of all forms of multiple sclerosis, including optic neuritis. When administered in the context of active inflammatory disease, i.e. used in the treatment of clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing MS, treatment with antagonists of the invention is expected to be most effective . The stage of these diseases is determined clinically and / or by diagnostic imaging criteria such as gadolinium enhancement or more sensitive techniques and / or by other methods such as undefined biomarkers of active disease can do. In particular, the antagonists of the present invention can be used to treat RRMS when a patient is relapsed or has relapsed (via intravenous, subcutaneous, oral, intramuscular delivery). In one embodiment, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 The antagonists of the present invention are administered within days, 8, 9, or 10 days.

The antigen-binding protein of the present invention can bind to CD127. In one embodiment, an antigen binding protein of the invention can antagonize the biological action of an IL-7 receptor. In one embodiment, the antigen binding protein can antagonize at least one of T _H 17 receptor mediated proliferation and IL-7 receptor mediated survival.

  The terms inhibition, antagonism and neutralization are used interchangeably in the present invention. Neither of these terms is intended to suggest the need for complete neutralization; nor is partial neutralization (corresponding to reduced biological effects but not completely eliminated) Conceivable.

Proliferation and / or survival of IL-7 receptor-mediated _T H 17 _is by an increase in _T by H 17 increase or maintenance of cell numbers, or other CD4 + T cell count ratio _T H 17 cell number as compared to, Or more specifically, the ratio of T _H 17: T _H 1 cells, the ratio of T _H 17: T _reg cells, the ratio of (T _H 17 + T _H 1): T _reg cells, and / or T _H 17 :( It can be observed at the cellular level by increasing the ratio of T _H 1 + T _reg ).

At the molecular level, an increase in T _H 17 and / or survival can be observed by an increase in IL-17 production by a population of CD4 + T cells (or by a population of T _H 17 cells). Accordingly, in one embodiment, an antigen binding protein of the invention reduces IL-17 production by a population of CD4 + T cells. IL-7 receptor-mediated T _H 17 proliferation and survival can also be observed by increased production of TFN-γ by a population of CD4 + T cells (or by a population of T _H 17 cells). Thus, in one embodiment, an antigen binding protein of the invention antagonizes (decreases) IFN-γ production by a population of CD4 + T cells. At the molecular level, the antigen binding proteins of the invention can inhibit IL-7 receptor-mediated STAT-5 phosphorylation.

  At the molecular level, the blocking effect of the antigen-binding protein of the present invention can be observed and measured by an assay such as IL-7-induced P-STAT5 or Bcl-2. At the cellular level, blocking effects can be observed and measured by assays such as Th-17 secretion of IL-17 or IFNγ. An exemplary assay is described in International Application No. PCT / US2009 / 053136 (International Application No. 2010/017468).

  In an exemplary pSTAT-5 assay, PBMC are stimulated with IL-7 in the presence and absence of a test agent. Then, for example, pSTAT-5 is stained (eg, using a labeled anti-pSTAT-5 antibody such as Alexa Fluor® 647 mouse anti-Stat5 (pY694, BD [# 612599])) and then fluorescent. By performing activated cell sorting, the amount of pSTAT-5 in the cells is quantitatively evaluated. The amount of phosphorylated STAT-5 can also be measured by ELISA. Agents that reduce the amount of phosphorylated STAT-5 may be potential therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases.

When compared to the amount of STAT-5 in the absence of the antagonist, or when compared to negative control, i.e., untreated cells, the antagonist has an amount of phosphorylated STAT-5 of at least 20%, 50%, 75%, 80%. %, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100%. An antagonist may have an IC ₅₀ of ₅₀ μg / mL, 25 μg / mL or less, 10 μg / mL or less, 5 μg / mL or less, or 2 μg / mL or less. In one embodiment, the antagonist has an IC ₅₀ of 1 μg / mL or less, 0.75 μg / mL or less, 0.5 μg / mL or less, 0.25 μg / mL or less, or 0.1 μg / mL or less.

The antagonists of the present invention are particularly effective in inhibiting the proliferation of T _H 17 cells. The proliferation of T _H 17 cells can be measured in a T _H 17 proliferation assay, which stimulates and expands a population of naive T cells in the presence and absence of a test agent, and then the cells are Stimulating to produce IL-17 and assessing the amount of IL-17 produced by the cells in the presence and absence of the test agent.

In an exemplary assay, human CD4 + T cells are differentiated to T _H 17 by stimulating T cell receptors with activation in the presence of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-23. After differentiation for 5 days, CCR6 + cells are separated to produce a T _H 17 enriched population. This population is then stimulated with human IL-7 and the increase in IL-17 and IFN-γ in the supernatant is measured. Since an antagonist of the interaction between IL-7 and CD127 during the incubation period should prevent proliferation of T _H 17 cells and reduce IL-7 and IFN-γ production, The ability of a test agent such as an antigen binding protein to block this interaction can be measured.

The antigen-binding protein of the present invention can inhibit IL-17 secretion in such an assay by 20% or more relative to the negative control. More typically, the antigen binding protein can inhibit IL-17 secretion by 50%, 75%, 85%, or 90% or more relative to a control. An antigen-binding fragment may, in some embodiments, exhibit an IC ₅₀ of 50 μg / mL or less in the assay. In other embodiments, the IC ₅₀ can be 20 μg / mL, 10 μg / mL, or 5 μg / mL or less.

Thus, in another aspect, the invention provides an autoimmune disease or comprising comprising administering to a patient an antigen binding protein of the invention in an amount sufficient to reduce the number of T _H 17 cells in the patient. Methods of treating inflammatory disorders are provided.

  In another aspect, the invention provides a human subject comprising administering to a subject an amount of an antigen binding protein sufficient to reduce IL-7 receptor-mediated STAT-5 phosphorylation. Methods of treating autoimmune diseases are provided.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating multiple sclerosis in a patient comprising administering to the patient an antigen binding protein of the present invention, wherein said patient has relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. A method of suffering from is provided.

In another aspect, the present invention comprises administering to a subject an amount of an antigen binding protein of the present invention effective to reduce the ratio of T _H 17 cells to T _H 1 cells. A method of treating an autoimmune disease or inflammatory disease in is provided.

In another aspect, the present invention is comprising administering (Foxp3 +) T _reg to cells in an amount effective to reduce the proportion of T _H cells antigen binding proteins of the present invention to a subject, a human subject Methods of treating autoimmune or inflammatory diseases in the body are provided.

Diagnostic Use Methods The antigen binding proteins described herein can be used to detect CD127 in a biological sample in vitro or in vivo for diagnostic purposes. For example, an anti-CD127 antigen binding protein can be used to detect CD127 in cultured cells, tissues or serum. The tissue may be first removed from the human or animal body (eg, a biopsy). Conventional immunoassays including ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry or immunoprecipitation can be used.

  The antigen binding protein can provide a diagnostic kit comprising one or more antigen binding proteins, a detectable label, and instructions for using the kit. For convenience, the kit may contain a predetermined amount of reagent along with instructions for use.

Gene Therapy Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antigen binding proteins described herein may be administered to a subject in need thereof. Nucleic acid molecules can also express CDRs, variable domains or full-length antibodies in the appropriate scaffold or domain. The nucleic acid molecule may be contained in a vector for expression in human or animal cells. Nucleic acid molecules or vectors may be formulated for administration of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and / or one or more therapeutically active agents as described above.

重鎖及び軽鎖の可変領域をそれぞれヒトＩｇＧ１Ｆｃ及びカッパ定常領域に融合させることにより、組み換えキメラ型の抗体を作製した。 1.0 Humanization of 1A11
1.1 Cloning of 1A11 Hybridoma Variable Region Total RNA was prepared from the cell pellet of 1A11 hybridoma and RT-PCR was performed to prepare variable region cDNA. The amplified variable regions of the heavy and light chains of each hybridoma were cloned into the pCR2.1 cloning vector. The sequence of the variable region of the heavy chain and light chain of each hybridoma was obtained. By sequence analysis, the peptide sequence was predicted as follows (emphasizing the complementarity determining region):

Recombinant chimeric antibodies were made by fusing the heavy and light chain variable regions to human IgGl Fc and kappa constant regions, respectively.

1.2 1A11 Heavy chain humanized strategy Has 64% identity (including CDR) as mouse 1A11 variable heavy chain sequence as a preferred acceptor framework for humanization according to BLAST analysis of human V gene germline database Human germline IGHV1_2 was selected. Germline V regions were combined in silico with a suitable FR4, in this case JH6 minigene (Kabat Vol. II) based on sequence homology. The first six residues of the JH6 minigene residue preceding the WGQG motif are contained within the CDR3 region that is replaced by the CDR from the donor antibody. Eight humanized heavy chain variants were generated based on sequence comparison and the potential to affect antibody function. Construct H0 was a straight graft grafted with a mouse CDR from 1A11 (using Kabat definition) to the human acceptor framework selected above. Constructs H1-H3 are based on H0; each incorporates one additional framework mutation (positions 71, 66 and 69, respectively) that is different for each construct. H4 to H7 incorporate 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the above-mentioned back mutations.

１．４ １Ａ１１ 軽鎖ヒト化ストラテジ
ヒトＶ遺伝子生殖細胞系データベースのＢＬＡＳＴ分析に従って、ヒト化に好ましいアクセプターフレームワークとして、マウス１Ａ１１可変軽鎖配列と５３％の同一性（ＣＤＲを含む）を有するヒト生殖細胞系ＩＧＨＶ３＿１１を選択した。生殖細胞系のＶ領域を、配列相同性に基いて好適なＦＲ４、この場合、Ｊ領域カッパ４ミニ遺伝子（Ｋａｂａｔ Ｖｏｌ．ＩＩ）とインシリコで組合せた。ＪＫ−４ミニ遺伝子残基の最初の３つの残基は、ドナー抗体由来のＣＤＲに置換されるＣＤＲ３領域内に含まれる。配列比較及び抗体機能に影響を及ぼす可能性に基づいて、１０個のヒト化軽鎖変異体を作製した。コンストラクトＬ０は、上で選択されたヒトアクセプターフレームワークに（Ｋａｂａｔの定義を使用する）１Ａ１１由来のマウスＣＤＲをグラフトしたストレートグラフトであった。コンストラクトＬ１、Ｌ２、Ｌ４は、Ｌ０に基づき、各々に、各コンストラクトで異なる１つの更なるフレームワーク突然変異（それぞれ、位置４７、７１及び４６）が組み込まれている。コンストラクトＬ３には、上記の復帰突然変異４７及び７１が両方とも組込まれている。コンストラクトＬ５には、上記の復帰突然変異４７及び７１及び４６のうちの３つが組込まれている。コンストラクトＬ６〜Ｌ９は、Ｌ５に基づき、各々に、各コンストラクトで異なる１、２、３、及び４つの更なるフレームワーク突然変異（それぞれ、位置５８、４５、７０及び６０）が組み込まれている；。 1.3 Principle of heavy chain humanization of 1A11 framework IGHV1-2

1.4 1A11 Light chain humanized strategy According to BLAST analysis of human V gene germline database, it has 53% identity (including CDR) as mouse 1A11 variable light chain sequence as a preferred acceptor framework for humanization Human germline IGHV3_11 was selected. The germline V region was combined in silico with a suitable FR4 based on sequence homology, in this case the J region kappa 4 minigene (Kabat Vol. II). The first three residues of the JK-4 minigene residue are contained within a CDR3 region that is replaced with a CDR from a donor antibody. Ten humanized light chain variants were generated based on sequence comparison and the potential to affect antibody function. Construct L0 was a straight graft grafted with a mouse CDR from 1A11 (using the Kabat definition) to the human acceptor framework selected above. Constructs L1, L2, L4 are based on L0 and each incorporates one additional framework mutation (position 47, 71 and 46, respectively) that is different for each construct. In the construct L3, both the above-mentioned back mutations 47 and 71 are incorporated. In construct L5, three of the above-mentioned back mutations 47, 71 and 46 are incorporated. Constructs L6-L9 are based on L5 and each incorporates 1, 2, 3, and 4 additional framework mutations (positions 58, 45, 70 and 60, respectively) that are different in each construct; .

２．０ ６Ａ３のヒト化
２．１ ６Ａ３ 重鎖ヒト化ストラテジ
ヒトＶ遺伝子生殖細胞系データベースのＢＬＡＳＴ分析に従って、ヒト化に好ましいアクセプターフレームワークとして、マウス６Ａ３可変重鎖配列と７１％の同一性（ＣＤＲを含む）を有するヒト生殖細胞系ＩＧＨＶ４＿６１、及び５１％の同一性を有するヒト生殖細胞系ＩＧＨＶ３＿３３（これはＩＧＫＶ１＿３９と共によく発現することが既に知られている）を選択した。生殖細胞系のＶ領域を、配列相同性に基いて好適なＦＲ４、この場合、ＪＨ６ミニ遺伝子（Ｋａｂａｔ Ｖｏｌ．ＩＩ）とインシリコで組合せた。ＷＧＱＧモチーフに先行するＪＨ６ミニ遺伝子残基の最初の２つの残基は、ドナー抗体由来のＣＤＲに置換されるＣＤＲ３領域内に含まれる。配列比較及び抗体機能に影響を与える可能性に基づいて、フレームワークＩＧＨＶ４＿６１を含む１０個のヒト化重鎖変異体及びフレームワークＩＧＨＶ３＿３３を含む１２個のヒト化重鎖変異体を作製した。コンストラクトＨ０は、上で選択されたヒトアクセプターフレームワークに（Ｋａｂａｔの定義を使用する）６Ａ３由来のマウスＣＤＲをグラフトしたストレートグラフトであった。フレームワークＩＧＨＶ４＿６１を有するＨ１〜Ｈ５コンストラクトは、Ｈ０に基づき、各々に、各コンストラクトで異なる１つの更なるフレームワーク突然変異（それぞれ、位置７１、２７、３０、６７、及び４８）が組み込まれている。Ｈ６〜Ｈ９コンストラクトには、上記の復帰突然変異のうちの２、３、４又は５つが組み込まれている。フレームワークＩＧＨＶ３−３３を有するＨ１〜Ｈ１１コンストラクトは、Ｈ０に基づき、各々に、各コンストラクトで異なる１つの更なるフレームワーク突然変異が組み込まれている（それぞれ、位置２７、３０、２８、２９、６７、７３、７８、４９、６８、２４及び４８）。 1.5 Principle of light chain humanization of 1A11 framework IGKV3-11

2.0 Humanization of 6A3
2.1 6A3 Heavy chain humanized strategy According to BLAST analysis of human V gene germline database, it has 71% identity (including CDR) as mouse 6A3 variable heavy chain sequence as a preferred acceptor framework for humanization Human germline IGHV4_61 and human germline IGHV3_33 with 51% identity (which is already known to be well expressed with IGKV1_39) were selected. Germline V regions were combined in silico with a suitable FR4, in this case JH6 minigene (Kabat Vol. II) based on sequence homology. The first two residues of the JH6 minigene residue preceding the WGQG motif are contained within the CDR3 region that is replaced by the CDR from the donor antibody. Based on sequence comparison and the potential to affect antibody function, 10 humanized heavy chain variants containing the framework IGHV4_61 and 12 humanized heavy chain variants containing the framework IGHV3_33 were generated. Construct H0 was a straight graft grafted with a mouse CDR from 6A3 (using Kabat definition) to the human acceptor framework selected above. H1-H5 constructs with framework IGHV4_61 are based on H0 and each incorporates one additional framework mutation (positions 71, 27, 30, 67, and 48, respectively) that is different for each construct. . The H6-H9 construct incorporates 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the above backmutations. H1-H11 constructs with framework IGHV3-33 are based on H0 and each incorporates one additional framework mutation that is different in each construct (positions 27, 30, 28, 29, 67, respectively). 73, 78, 49, 68, 24 and 48).

２．３ ６Ａ３フレームワークＩＧＨＶ３＿３３についての重鎖ヒト化の原理

２．４ ６Ａ３ 軽鎖ヒト化ストラテジ
ヒトＶ遺伝子生殖細胞系データベースのＢＬＡＳＴ分析に従って、ヒト化に好ましいアクセプターフレームワークとして、マウス６Ａ３可変軽鎖配列と７２％の同一性（ＣＤＲを含む）を有するヒト生殖細胞系ＩＧＫＶ１＿３９を選択した。生殖細胞系のＶ領域を、配列相同性に基いて好適なＦＲ４、この場合、Ｊ領域カッパ２ミニ遺伝子（Ｋａｂａｔ Ｖｏｌ．ＩＩ）とインシリコで組合せた。ＪＫ−２ミニ遺伝子残基の最初の２つの残基は、ＣＤＲ３領域内に含まれ、マウス６Ａ３軽鎖ＣＤＲ３の最後の２つの残基と同一である。配列比較及び抗体機能に影響を与える可能性に基づいて、５個のヒト化軽鎖変異体を作製した。コンストラクトＬ０は、上で選択されたヒトアクセプターフレームワークに（Ｋａｂａｔの定義を使用する）６Ａ３由来のマウスＣＤＲをグラフトしたストレートグラフトであった。コンストラクトＬ１、Ｌ２は、Ｌ０に基づき、各々に、各コンストラクトで異なる１つの更なるフレームワーク突然変異が組み込まれている（それぞれ、位置４５、７０）。コンストラクトＬ３には、上記の復帰突然変異が両方とも組込まれている。 2.2 Principle of heavy chain humanization for 6A3 framework IGHV4_61

2.3 Principle of heavy chain humanization for 6A3 framework IGHV3_33

2.4 6A3 light chain humanized strategy has 72% identity (including CDRs) with mouse 6A3 variable light chain sequence as preferred acceptor framework for humanization according to BLAST analysis of human V gene germline database Human germline IGKV1_39 was selected. Germline V regions were combined in silico with a suitable FR4 based on sequence homology, in this case the J region kappa 2 minigene (Kabat Vol. II). The first two residues of the JK-2 minigene residue are contained within the CDR3 region and are identical to the last two residues of the mouse 6A3 light chain CDR3. Five humanized light chain variants were generated based on sequence comparison and the potential to affect antibody function. Construct L0 was a straight graft grafted with a mouse CDR from 6A3 (using the Kabat definition) to the human acceptor framework selected above. Constructs L1, L2 are based on L0 and each incorporates one additional framework mutation that is different in each construct (positions 45, 70, respectively). Construct L3 incorporates both of the above-mentioned back mutations.

配列比較及び抗体機能に影響を与える可能性に基づいて、５個のヒト化軽鎖変異体を作製した。コンストラクトＬ０は、上で選択されたヒトアクセプターフレームワークに（Ｋａｂａｔの定義を使用する）６Ａ３由来のマウスＣＤＲをグラフトしたストレートグラフトであった。コンストラクトＬ１、Ｌ２は、Ｌ０に基づき、各々に、各コンストラクトで異なる１つの更なるフレームワーク突然変異が組み込まれている（それぞれ、位置４５、７０）。コンストラクトＬ３には、上記復帰突然変異が両方とも組込まれている。コンストラクトＬ２７には、Ｔ４Ｌ、Ａ３１Ｙ、Ｄ７０Ｍ、Ｖ８５Ｔ、Ｔ９４Ｙ、Ｑ１００Ｇ、Ｌ１０４Ｖ（配列番号１３８）を含むより多くの突然変異が組み込まれている。

Principle of light chain humanization of 6A3 framework IGKV1_39

Five humanized light chain variants were generated based on sequence comparison and the potential to affect antibody function. Construct L0 was a straight graft grafted with a mouse CDR from 6A3 (using the Kabat definition) to the human acceptor framework selected above. Constructs L1, L2 are based on L0 and each incorporates one additional framework mutation that is different in each construct (positions 45, 70, respectively). Both the above-mentioned back mutations are incorporated into the construct L3. Construct L27 incorporates more mutations including T4L, A31Y, D70M, V85T, T94Y, Q100G, L104V (SEQ ID NO: 138).

2.5 Construction of Fc impossible variable heavy chain Two amino acid substitutions L237A and G239A were made to the 1A11 H3 construct. These modifications make the molecule less capable of recruiting immune effector cells or complement. The resulting VH construct is identified as 1A11 H3-Fc and has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 118 (encoded by a polynucleotide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 119). As described in Example 4 below, 1A11 H3-Fc and 1A11. Antibodies containing the L4 light chain (1A11 H3L4Fc) were further analyzed.

2.6 Affinity maturation of 1A11 H3L4
2.6.1 Construction of recombinant anti-IL7R 1A11 H3L4 CDRH3 variants A number of variants of the humanized anti-IL7R monoclonal antibody 1A11 H3L4 were generated. All of these differed only by one amino acid substitution in the CDRH3 region of the heavy chain of the antibody having the heavy chain amino acid sequence (H3) set forth in SEQ ID NO: 114 and the light chain amino acid sequence (L4) set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115. .

  Site-directed mutagenesis was used to create a humanized CDRH3 variant of 1A11 H3L4 in the pLEFD mammalian expression vector.

2.6.2 Small-scale antibody expression in HEK 293 6E cells The pLEFN and pLEFD plasmids encoding the light and heavy chains of the 1A11 H3L4 and CDRH3 variants, respectively, were scaled to 96 wells using 293fectin (Invitrogen, 12347019). HEK 293 6E cells were transiently co-transfected with an expression volume of 500 μL). The supernatant was collected by centrifuging at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant containing the antibody was then filtered using a 0.45 μm filter plate. Antibodies were evaluated directly from tissue culture supernatants.

2.6.3 Proteon analysis of anti-IL7R 1A11 H3L4 CDRH3 variants CDRH3 antibody variants (these are derived from small-scale antibody expression in HEK 293 6E cells and as described in Example 2.6.2 Initial screening to determine the binding affinity (evaluated directly from) was performed in ProteOn XPR36 (Biorad). The method was as follows; protein A was immobilized on a GLC chip by primary amine coupling, then CDRH3 mutant antibody was captured on this surface and 0 nM injection used for double reference of the binding curve (Ie, buffer only) with 256, 64, 16, 4, 1 nM IL7R. The capture surface was regenerated using 50 mM NaOH to remove the bound CDRH3 mutant antibody and ready for another cycle of capture and analyte injection. Data was fitted to the 1: 1 model using machine specific analysis software. Binding analysis of the mutant antibody was performed directly from the tissue culture supernatant.

  Screening identified several antibodies that were thought to have a better kinetic profile than the parent molecule (1A11 H3L4). The data obtained from this analysis is shown in 4.2.3. This data indicates that several CDRH3 mutations at residues N98 and F100b are thought to improve binding affinity for IL7R. From this data set, six molecules were selected for further analysis (Example 2.6.4).

2.6.4 Large-scale antibody expression in HEK 293 6E cells The above data highlighted that several CDRH3 mutations at N98 and F100b residues are thought to improve binding affinity for IL7R (4.2. 3 shows the data). Therefore, purified antibodies were generated for these six CDRH3 variants. The constructs encoding the heavy and light chains of the 1A11 H3L4 CDRH3 variant were subcloned from the plasmids of pLEFD and pLEFN into a pTT vector optimized for large-scale HEK 293 6E expression. The plasmid was transiently co-transfected into 50-100 mL HEK 293 6E (plasmid details are summarized in Table 7) using 293fectin (Invitrogen, 12347019). After 24 hours, tryptone feed was added to the cell culture and after 72 hours the cells were harvested. The antibody was then affinity purified using an immobilized protein A column and quantified by reading the absorbance at 280 nm.

3.0 Construction of the humanized vector The DNA sequence of the humanized variable region is a sequence optimized using LETO 1.0 software (Enterprisele GmbH) and is de novo synthesized by construction of overlapping oligonucleotides and PCR amplification. It was. The primers included a restriction enzyme site for cloning into a mammalian expression vector and a human immunoglobulin signal sequence for secretion. The humanized variable heavy chain region was cloned into a mammalian expression vector containing a human gamma 1 constant region using Age1 / Kas1. In parallel, the humanized variable light chain region was cloned into a mammalian expression vector containing a human kappa constant region using HindIII and BsiWI.

4.0 Characterization of humanized antibodies
4.1 Measurement of binding kinetics of 1A11 and 6A3 constructs: BIAcore ™ 3000
The BIAcore 3000 instrument (GE Healthcare) was used to evaluate the binding kinetics of anti-CD127 antibodies for human CD127 ECD. Using the supplied coupling buffer, humanized 6A3 or 1A11 can be used on a CM5 biosensor chip to which a BIAcore (GE Healthcare catalog number BR-1008-39) anti-human IgG (Fc specific) monoclonal antibody has already been immobilized. The construct was captured. Various concentrations (512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16 nM) of human CD127 ECD were injected for 240 seconds at a flow rate of 30 μL / min.

1) Capturing the target MAb 2) Associating the analyte with the captured MAb 3) Dissociating the analyte (buffer)
4) Playback with a buffer optimized for BIAcore. Remove all but the covalently bound anti-H Ab. BIAcore kinetic run cycle: buffer, 512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16 nM IL7R ECD; buffer cycle was used for double reference.

The antibody surface was regenerated with 3M MgCl ₂ . Kinetics were measured by fitting the data globally to a 1: 1 Langmuir model using BIAevaluation software. The results are shown in Examples 4.2.1 (1A11) and 4.2.2 (6A3).

4.1.1 Determination of binding kinetics of selected 1A11 H3L4 CDRH3 variants Using BIAcore analysis, purified CDRH3 mutant antibodies (on a large scale in HEK 293 6E cells as described in Example 2.6.4) The binding affinity (obtained from antibody expression) was measured.

4.1.1.1 Method 1: BIAcore ™ T100
By immobilizing the anti-human IgG (GE Healthcare / BIAcore ™ BR-1008-39) to the CM3 chip to a level of about 1300 resonance units (RU) by primary amine coupling, then the CDRH3 mutant antibody was attached to it. Capture, capture all antibodies at the same level (44-56 RU), 256, 64, 16, 4, 1 nM IL-7R with 0 nM injection (ie buffer only) used for double reference of binding curve passed through was regenerated the surface using a MgCl ₂ of 3M. The binding data was fitted to a 1: 1 model specific to BIAcore ™ T100 analysis software. Runs were performed using HBS-EP as the running buffer and run on a BIAcore ™ T100 at 25 ° C. The results are shown in 4.2.4.

4.1.1.2: Method 2: BIAcore ™ 3000
Primary human coupling immobilized anti-human IgG (GE Healthcare / BIAcore ™ BR-1008-39) to the CM5 chip to a level of about 5400 resonance units (RU), and then the CDRH3 mutant antibody was immobilized on this surface. 256, 64, 16, 4, 1 nM IL7R with 0 nM injection (ie buffer only) used for double reference of the binding curve, capturing all antibodies at the same level (175-205 RU) passed through was regenerated the surface using a MgCl ₂ of 3M. The binding data was fit to a 1: 1 model specific to the BIAcore ™ 3000 analysis software. Runs were run using HBS-EP as the running buffer and run on a BIAcore ™ 3000 at 25 ° C. The results are shown in 4.2.5.

4.1.2 Determination of species cross-reactivity of 1A11 H3L4 in cynomolgus monkeys and marmoset Biacore 3000 was used to assess the binding kinetics of 1A11H3L4 for cynomolgus monkey and marmoset CD127 ECD. BIAcore (GE Healthcare catalog number BR-1008-39) 1A11 H3L4 was captured on a CM5 biosensor chip to which an anti-human IgG (Fc specific) monoclonal antibody had already been immobilized. The antibody surface was regenerated with 3M MgCl ₂ . Kinetics were measured by fitting the data globally to a 1: 1 Langmuir model using BIAevaluation software. The results are shown in 4.3.

4.1.3 IL7 Receptor Inhibition Assay Using BIAcore ™ analysis, the purified CDRH3 mutant antibody (obtained from large-scale antibody expression in HEK 293 6E cells as described in Example 2.6.4). Have demonstrated that it can inhibit the interaction between IL7 and IL7R.

IL7 (R & D Systems) was immobilized on a CM5 chip by primary amine coupling; the surface was conditioned with 10 mM glycine (pH 3.0) to obtain a stable surface for neutralization assays. Tests at concentrations of 256nM, 128nM, 64nM, 16nM, 8nM, 4nM, 2nM and 1nM in Run 1 and 256nM, 128nM, 64nM, 16nM, 8nM, 4nM, 2nM, 1nM, 0.5nM and 0.25nM in Run 2 64 nM IL7R was incubated with the antibody. Samples were then incubated at room temperature for 3 hours prior to run against IL7 / CM5 chip and 10 mM glycine (pH 3.0) was used to regenerate the surface for subsequent interactions. IC ₅₀ values were calculated using Robosage. Thereby, the binding signal was converted to a percentage value based on the maximum signal obtained using 64 nM IL7R with 0 nM antibody. The result is shown in 4.7.

4.2 Results of binding kinetics
4.2.1 1A11

4.2.2 6A3

4.2.3 Selection of various anti-IL7R 1A11 H3L4 CDRH3 variants of 1A11 H3L4 by BIAcore ™ analysis

4.2.4 BIAcore ™ T100 Analysis of Selected 1A11 H3L4 CDRH3 Variants Table 8 shows the data obtained from the 4.1.1.1 test. This indicates that all CDRH3 mutations are thought to have better affinity than the parent molecule and the best construct appears to be BPC4398 (anti-IL7R 1A11 H3L4 N98D).

4.2.5 BIAcore ™ 3000 analysis of selected 1A11 H3L4 CDHR3 variants Table 9 shows the data obtained from the 4.1.1.2 test. This indicates that all CDRH3 mutations are believed to have better affinity than the parent molecule, with the best constructs being BPC4398 (1A11 H3L4 N98D) and BPC4399 (1A11 H3L4 N98E).

There was a difference in the overall affinity calculated between the two methods. This may be due to the fact that IL7R is a homodimer, and thus the amount of binding activity and cross-linking of antibody and antigen is that of IL7R immobilized on different capture surfaces used in the two assays. May increase or decrease depending on various densities. Despite the different affinities seen between the two runs, the ranking in the two experiments shows that BPC4398 (1A11 H3L4 N98D) has an improved affinity over the parent molecule 1A11 H3L4.

4.3 Species cross-reactivity 1A11 H3L4 (wild type) was observed to cross-react with marmoset and cynomolgus IL-7R tested at equivalent levels by the Biacore system (Table 10).

4.4 In order to provide a putative mechanism for neutralizing the observed epitope binding by X-ray crystallography or to make a reasonable selection for antibody maturation, the 1A11 H3L4 Fab is used, The combined interface of mAb was predicted using a combination of in silico modeling and X-ray crystallography.

  A high resolution (2.08A) structure of the 1A11H3L4 Fab / human IL7 receptor complex was established. Human IL7 receptor extracellular domain and 1A11H3L4 were expressed in CHO lect cells and purified by affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. The FAb fragment of 1A11H3L4 was prepared by papain cleavage. Fab1A11H3L4 / IL7R ECD complex was prepared by mixing Fab1A11H3L4 and IL7 receptor ECD at a molar ratio of 1: 1.2. Protein was concentrated and crystallized using the hanging drop vapor diffusion method. X-ray diffraction data was collected on an Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The diffraction data was indexed and compared using HKL2000 software. The structure was determined by molecular replacement in the program X-PLOR. The initial molecular replacement solution was subjected to multiple rounds for molecular dynamics purification in CNX and reconstitution with the program WinCoot.

Based on the high resolution 2.08A crystal structure, 1A11H3L4 is predicted to bind to the IL7 receptor in four of the extracellular loops of IL-7R, thereby blocking IL7 ligand binding:
Loop 2: 55Gly 56Ala 57Leu 58Val 59Glu 60Val 61Lys
Loop 3: 80Leu 81Leu 82Ile 83Gly 84Lys 100Lys
Loop 4: 138 Lys 139 Tyr 142 Val
Loop 5: 192 Tyr 193Phe.

  These findings are consistent with the competition observed for hIL7 observed between 1A11 and 6A3.

4.5 Analysis of effector functions
4.5.1 1A11 H3L4 lacks complement-mediated cytotoxicity A total of 6 separate experiments showed that 1A11 H3L4 (wild type) has no measurable complement-mediated cytotoxicity. These experiments were performed with the HEK 293 MSR II cell line transduced with hIL-7r BacMam used as a target. The cells were transduced for about 21 hours at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ in a T175 culture flask (moi 75). The adherent cells were then removed from the flask using TrypLE, washed several times and then plated on 96-well plates at 1 × 10 ⁵ cells / 50 μL / well. 25 μL of antibody was added over 30 minutes at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ . Following this incubation, 20 μL of rabbit complement was added and the plates were then returned to the incubator for 2 hours. Cell viability was assessed by adding 100 μL CellTiter-Glo to each well with gentle mixing using a multichannel pipette. The plate's fluorescence signal was then read with a Victor V plate reader (live cells increase the signal). FIG. 1 shows an example of these experiments.

  The positive control antibody (Grits32092) used in the experiment was specific for the cell surface receptor for HER3 that was co-expressed in the same cells as the target cells that expressed hIL-7Rα. This control antibody was used at the same concentration as 1A11 H3L4 (10 μg / mL) and was combined with rabbit complement from the same two suppliers (Calbiochem and Invitrogen). These results indicated that both the target cells and complement used in the assay can induce complement dependent cytotoxicity.

4.5.2 1A11 H3L4Fc reduced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).
Purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from 7 human donors were analyzed as effector cells in the ADCC assay. These experiments were performed on HEK 293 MSR II cell line transduced with hIL-7r BacMam used as target cells. These cells were transduced for about 21 hours at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ in T175 culture flasks (moi 75). The adherent cells were then removed from the flask using Triple and washed several times before being “loaded” with Eurobium. These loaded cells were combined in a 96 well plate (2 × 10 ⁴ cells / 25 μL / well) containing anti-IL-7R antibody for 30 minutes at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ . After incubation, effector cells were added at a ratio of 200, 100, 50 and 25: 1 (100 μL / well) and returned to 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ for 2 hours. Following this incubation, 25 μL of the supernatant was removed and added to a 96-well plate containing 100 μL / well of Delfia enhancement solution. The plates were then incubated for 5 minutes on a room temperature plate shaker and then read on a Victor V plate reader. Any eurobium (cell cytotoxicity) released by the lysed cells into the surrounding supernatant was measured as fluorescence units.

  These assays compared the ability of “wild type” 1A11 H3L4 and the Fc-incapable molecule 1A11 H3L4Fc to bind to human effector cells via the Fc receptor and kill IL-7 receptor positive target cells. Overall, the results of these experiments showed that the Fc-incapable molecule 1A11 H3L4Fc is at least 2-fold less capable of initiating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity than “wild type” 1A11 H3L4. These results also showed that in 6 out of 7 donors, disabling antibodies can induce ADCC activity to some extent (one donor has little activity with both wild type and disabling 1A11 H3L4). It was shown that it could be induced. The results are shown in FIG.

4.5.3 Fc receptor binding 1A11 H3L4 and 1A11 H3L4Fc were evaluated for their ability to bind to multiple Fc effector receptors (Fc gamma I, IIa and IIIa) and multiple species of FcRn, control wild type and Fc Compared to dysfunctional antibody. This experiment was performed on a ProteOn XPR36 surface plasmon resonance apparatus (BioRad). The antibody to be tested was coupled to a GLM biosensor chip by primary amine coupling. HBS-EP (pH 7.4) was used as the running buffer and 2048 nM, 512 nM, 128 nM, 32 nM and 8 nM of various Fcγ receptors were used as the analyte. For FcRn receptor binding, 2048 nM, 512 nM, 128 nM, 32 nM and 8 nM human, cynomolgus monkey, mouse and rat FcRn were used as analytes and runs were performed at pH 6.0 and pH 7.4. All bound sensorgrams were double-referenced with 0 nM injection (ie buffer only). The data was fitted to an equilibrium model specific to ProteOn analysis software.

Table 11 shows the affinity obtained for antibody binding to the various Fc receptors evaluated in this study, showing that 1A11 H3L4 and 1A11 H3L4Fc behaved similarly to their control antibody equivalents. The disabling Fc antibody (1A11 H3L4Fc) did not bind to the Fcγ receptor or had very little binding, so an accurate analysis could not be performed. The data for FcRn binding showed that the Fc-disabled and Fc wild-types have similar affinity for all species tested. The data in the table is for the assay at pH 6.0 and did not bind as expected or very little at pH 7.4.

4.6 In vitro potency assay
4.6.1 Inhibition of IL-7-stimulated STAT5 phosphorylation by 1A11 and 1A11 H3L4 To screen for functional antibodies against IL-7Rα, 30 minutes prior to stimulation with IL-7, hybridoma culture medium, Positive control antibodies or supernatant samples to be tested were incubated with PBMC cells. Untreated cells were analyzed as background signals, while IL-7 treated cells were set as negative controls. After incubation with control or test samples for 30 minutes, cells were stimulated with IL-7 at 37 ° C. for 15 minutes. Cells were then fixed with 1.6% paraformaldehyde / PBS for 10 minutes at 37 ° C. and permeabilized with 100% methanol for 20-30 minutes. Cells were then washed twice with staining buffer (1% BSA in PBS) and stained with anti-pStat5 antibody (BD Biosciences Inc # 612599) labeled with Alexa-647 for 1 hour. Samples were analyzed on a BD LSR II FACS instrument.

  The parental 1A11 monoclonal antibody blocks IL-7 induction of STAT5 phosphorylation in human PBMC with an IC50 of 0.088 μg / mL (data not shown). 1A11 H3L4 was tested in the same assay using PBMCs from two donors at two human IL-7 concentrations (0.1 ng / mL and 1 ng / mL). 1A11 H3L4 shows a very similar IC50 (mean = 0.087 μg / mL) compared to 1A11, which does not affect the ability of the antibody to inhibit IL-7-induced pSTAT5 by the humanization process (FIGS. 3A and 3B).

4.6.2 Inhibition of IL-7-induced IL-17 production by 1A11 H3L4 To determine the ability to inhibit Th17 proliferation, 1A11 H3L4 was assayed according to the following protocol. CD4 + cells were isolated according to the manual (# 130-091-155, Miltenyi). Approximately 1 × 10 ⁶ / mL of CD4 + cells in 100 μL was added to an equal volume of 2 × concentration of Th17 differentiation medium (2 μg / mL anti-CD28 + 10 μg / mL anti-IFN-γ + 10 μg / mL anti-IL-4 + 12.5 ng / mL IL -1β + 20 ng / mL IL-23 + 50 ng / mL IL-6) and cultured at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ for 5 days. Treatment with various cytokines and growth factors in Th17 medium preferentially differentiated CD4 + cells into Th17 cells. BD FACS SORP Aria II was used to sort CCR6 + cells from day 5 differentiated cultured cells. CCR6 + cells were then adjusted to 2 × 10 ⁶ / mL for IL-17 production assay.

To measure IL-17 and IFN-γ levels, 100 μL of CCR6 + cells were preincubated with the test antibody for 1 hour at 37 ° C. and then mixed with 100 μL of 10 ng / mL IL-7. Cells were cultured for 24-40 hours at 37 ° C. with 5% CO ₂ added. The amounts of IFN-γ and IL-17 in 100 μL of the culture supernatant were measured by FlowCytomix (Bender MedSystems) for 24 hours and 40 hours, respectively.

  1A11 H3L4 was tested in a Th17 proliferation assay in a total of four human CD4 + cell samples (FIGS. 4A-D). The humanized antibody showed significant inhibition of IL-17 production in two samples and showed a tendency for inhibition in the other two samples. In view of inter-donor variation in this assay, it was concluded that 1A11 H3L4 can block IL-7-mediated Th17 cell proliferation.

4.6.3 Effect on TSLP Signaling The IL-7Rα subunit is shared by both IL-7R and the TSLP receptor complex (TSLPR). The effect of 1A11 H3L4 on TSLP signaling was tested in an in vitro assay based on TSLP induction of TARC production by human blood monocytes. A commercially available anti-IL-7Rα antibody, R34.34, was used as a positive control for TSRC-induced blocking of TARC. In addition, Fc-incapable humanized IgG1 (HuIgG1; GRITS39633) was used as a negative control. Using monocytes from 5 donors, using 1 ng / mL TSLP, using 0.001-30 μg / mL doses of 1A11 H3L4 and HuIgG1, 0.4, 2 and 10 μg / mL R34. 34 was used. Cell viability was also assessed by cell counting.

  1A11 H3L4 did not affect TSRC induction of TARC, as shown in FIGS. 5A-E, but for the same five donors, R34.34 substantially inhibited TARC production. The humanized negative control antibody had no effect on TARC production. This data set shows that 1A11 H3L4 does not neutralize TSLP signaling in human monocytes. Thus, 1A11 H3L4 is expected to be specific for neutralization of IL-7R signaling through IL-7R and not affect TSLP signaling through TSLPR.

4.7 IL7 Receptor Inhibition Test Table 12A shows the IC ₅₀ values obtained with Run 1. This table shows that all constructs have IC ₅₀ values superior to the highest values obtained for the parental 1A11 H3L4 molecule, and the top two molecules are BPC4401 (anti-IL7R 1A11 H3L4 F100bH) and BPC4398 (1A11 VH3 N98D L4 ). Table 12B shows the IC ₅₀ values obtained for Run 2. This also indicates that both constructs BPC4401 (anti-IL7R 1A11 H3L4 F100bH) and BPC4398 (1A11 VH3 N98D L4) had IC ₅₀ values that were superior to the highest values obtained for the parent 1A11 H3L4 molecule. Runs 1 and 2 were performed on separate IL7R / CM5 surfaces.

4.8 IL-7R Polymorphic Binding Assay IL-7R exists as two polymorphic forms, namely variant 1: Thr66-Ile128, variant 2: Ile66-Thr128. Binding of 1A11H3L4 to both polymorphs was assayed. Immobilizing anti-human IgG (GE Healthcare / BIAcore ™ BR-1008-39) on a CM5 chip to a level of about 9000 resonance units (RU) by primary amine coupling, then capturing 1A11H3L4 on this surface, This surface was regenerated using 3M MgC2 through 512n, 256n, 128n, 64nnM, 32nM, and 16nM IL7R with the 0nM injection used for double reference of the binding curve (ie, buffer only). The binding data was fit to a 1: 1 model specific to the BIAcore ™ 3000 analysis software. Runs were performed using HBS-EP as the running buffer and performed on a BIAcore ™ 3000 at 25 ° C. Table 13 shows the data obtained. This table indicated that 1A11 H3L4 has the same or similar binding affinity for both polymorphic variants (ie, binds to both polymorphs).

In the present specification, the invention will be described with reference to embodiments so that the description can be clearly and concisely described. The embodiments are intended and should be recognized as various combinations and separations without departing from the invention.

Claims (12)

A heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 13,121,123,125,127,129 or 131, comprising a light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 22 anti-CD127 antibody. Comprising a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 13, an antibody according to claim 1. Comprising a heavy chain of SEQ ID NO: 114 or SEQ ID NO: 118, antibodies of claim 1. Comprising a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 121 or SEQ ID NO: 123, antibodies of claim 1. The antibody according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising the light chain of SEQ ID NO: 115. Nucleic acid molecules encoding antibody according to any one of claims 1-5. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 6 . A recombinant host cell comprising the expression vector according to claim 7 . Antibody expressed by the host cell of claim 8. A step of producing an antibody by culturing a host cell according to claim 8 in a culture medium, comprising a step of isolating or purifying the antibody from the culture medium, a method of manufacturing the antibodies. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or 9 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. A pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of a subject suffering from an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease, comprising the antibody according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or 9 .

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